On the identification of hydroxamic acids formed by nitric acid degradation of kerosene and i-dodecane

Identification of hydroxamic acids in chemically degraded kerosene and i-dodecane with nitric acid has been carried out by ferric chloride test to characterize these acids, infrared spectroscopy, visible ray absorption spectroscopy, and extraction of fission products and zirconium nitrate. It is concluded from the above analytical results that small amounts of hydroxamic acids exist without doubt in both the degraded diluents. Their presence has also been evidenced from an examination of the chemical behavior of long chain alkyl hydroxamic acids such as stearyl hydroxamic acid. It is furthermore suggested that some of the precursors to the hydroxamic acids are olefines originally contained and/or formed by radiolysis of paraffines, naphthenes and aromatics in the diluent. With the use of octene-2, the process of formation of hydroxamic acid from olefine has also been estimated and is discussed on the basis of the results obtained. (author)