CHEMISTRY OF RDX

RDX EXPLOSIVE

There are many explanations for the name RDX, including Royal Demolition eXplosive, Research Department (composition) X and Research Department eXplosive. Research Department composition X is most likely correct. RDX was widely used during world war II, often in explosive mixtures with TNT. In its pure, synthesized state RDX is a white, crystalline solid.

Chemical structure of RDX

It is having a Triazine nucleus. It starts to decompose at about 170 °C and melts at 204 °C. Its structural formula is: hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine or (CH2-N-NO2)3.

At room temperature, it is very stable. It burns rather than explodes and detonates only with a detonator, being unaffected even by small arms fire. However, it is very sensitive when crystallized, below −4 °C.

Reference: NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY 2006
Detoxification of Explosives by Plants

Plants tackle explosive contamination.Plants engineered to degrade either RDX (left) or TNT (right) absorb the explosives through their roots and proceed to catabolize them into less toxic compounds (e.g., aminodinitrotoluenes) or nontoxic compounds (e.g., NH3 or CO2).(Nature Biotechnology 2006)

REFERENCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RDX