Nitric oxide formation in nitrosation reactions, with applications in the sensitisation of emulsion explosives

This thesis examines the rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions leading to production of nitrogen oxides during nitrosation reactions and, in particular, those occurring under conditions relevant to the sensitisation of emulsion explosives, where these toxic gases pose a hazard to explosive users. The decomposition of nitrous acid and nitrosyl thiocyanate were identified in the literature review as likely sources of nitrogen oxides during nitrosation reactions and were subjected to detailed experimental and computational studies.