TY - JOUR
T1 - Study of chemical modifications in acidified ignitable liquids analysed by GC-MS
AU - Martín-Alberca, Carlos
AU - García-Ruiz, Carmen
AU - Delémont, Olivier
PY - 2015/1/1
Y1 - 2015/1/1
N2 - In this work, mixtures of gasoline with sulphuric acid and diesel fuel with sulphuric acid were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed considerable qualitative and semi-quantitative modifications in the chromatographic profiles of the ignitable liquids (ILs). In the case of acidified gasoline, the alteration of the abundances of aromatic compounds and the hydrolysis of an oxygenated compound such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), in addition to the immediate and unexpected appearance of tert-butylated compounds were observed. In the case of acidified diesel fuel, the alteration of aromatic compounds occurred. These sequential changes were then studied in detail in order to explain the chemical modifications taking place. These extensive chemical modifications may be considered as a new chromatographic profile distortion effect, the acidification of ILs. As such modifications are not generally taken into account in the criteria followed to assess the classification of an IL, we propose some recommendations helping to the identification of acidified ILs. This information can be especially useful to detect and identify non-burned ILs from seized or failed improvised incendiary devices made with mixtures of sulphuric acid-IL, or ILs altered intentionally with the aim to modify their composition.
AB - In this work, mixtures of gasoline with sulphuric acid and diesel fuel with sulphuric acid were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed considerable qualitative and semi-quantitative modifications in the chromatographic profiles of the ignitable liquids (ILs). In the case of acidified gasoline, the alteration of the abundances of aromatic compounds and the hydrolysis of an oxygenated compound such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), in addition to the immediate and unexpected appearance of tert-butylated compounds were observed. In the case of acidified diesel fuel, the alteration of aromatic compounds occurred. These sequential changes were then studied in detail in order to explain the chemical modifications taking place. These extensive chemical modifications may be considered as a new chromatographic profile distortion effect, the acidification of ILs. As such modifications are not generally taken into account in the criteria followed to assess the classification of an IL, we propose some recommendations helping to the identification of acidified ILs. This information can be especially useful to detect and identify non-burned ILs from seized or failed improvised incendiary devices made with mixtures of sulphuric acid-IL, or ILs altered intentionally with the aim to modify their composition.
KW - Acidified ignitable liquid
KW - Diesel fuel
KW - Fire investigation
KW - Gasoline
KW - Improvised incendiary device
KW - Molotov cocktail
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U2 - 10.1016/j.scijus.2015.06.006
DO - 10.1016/j.scijus.2015.06.006
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84932112572
VL - 55
SP - 446
EP - 455
JO - Science and Justice
JF - Science and Justice
SN - 1355-0306
IS - 6
ER -