New protocol for the isolation of nitrocellulose from gunpowders: utility in their identification.

In this work, a new approach for the isolation of nitrocellulose from smokeless gunpowders has been developed. A multistep solvent extraction method was needed to purify nitrocellulose contained in gunpowders. For single-base or double-base gunpowders six consecutive solvent extractions were selected: three extractions with methanol (to remove nitroglycerin, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, ethyl-centralite, diphenylamine, and diphenylamine derivatives); one extraction with dichloromethane (to remove colorants and plasticizers of organic nature); one extraction with methanol (to facilitate a final polar extraction); and one extraction with water (to remove ionic components) were necessary at 35 degrees C.