Determination of RDX and Keto-RDX in High-Explosive Mixtures by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography

High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) has been used for separation and quantitation of components of high explosives containing hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and 2-oxo-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (Keto-RDX or K- 6) for on-line and off-line quality control of synthesis. The compounds were separated on silica gel 60 F254 layers developed successively with two mobile phases, 1,2-dichloroethane-methanol, 2 + 1, and chloroform-acetone-methanol, 4 + 1 + 1. UV detection was performed at λ = 254 nm. The analytes was quantified by absorbance densitometry using peak area ratio analysis. Validation was performed taking into consideration the special features of the method.