| Title: | Factors affecting the intramolecular decomposition of hexamethylene triperoxide diamine and implications for detection |
| Author(s): | Steinkamp FL; DeGreeff LE; Collins GE; Rose-Pehrsson SL; |
| Address: | "Former National Research Council post-doctoral fellow at U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20375, United States. Electronic address: frank.steinkamp.ctr@navy.mil. U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20375, United States. Electronic address: lauryn.degreeff@nrl.navy.mil. U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20375, United States. Electronic address: greg.collins@nrl.navy.mil. U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20375, United States. Electronic address: susan.rosepehrsson@nrl.navy.mil" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.chroma.2016.05.013 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1873-3778 (Electronic) 0021-9673 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) is an easily synthesized and highly sensitive organic peroxide frequently used as a primary explosive. The vapor pressure of HMTD is very low, impeding vapor detection, especially when compared to other peroxide explosives, such as triacetone triperoxide (TATP) or diacetone diperoxide (DADP). Despite this fact, HMTD has a perceptible odor that could be utilized in the indirect detection of HMTD vapor. Headspace measurements above solid HMTD samples confirm that HMTD readily decomposes under ambient conditions to form highly volatile products that include formic acid, ammonia, trimethylamine and formamides. The presence and quantity of these compounds are affected by storage condition, time, and synthetic method, with synthetic method having the most significant effect on the content of the headspace. A kinetic study of HMTD decomposition in solution indicated a correlation between degradation rate and the presence of decomposition species identified in the headspace, and provided further insight into the mechanism of decomposition. The study provided evidence for a proton assisted decomposition reaction with water, as well as an intramolecular decomposition process facilitated by the presence of water" |
| Keywords: | "Ammonia/analysis Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/*analysis/*chemistry Drug Storage Explosive Agents/*analysis/*chemistry Formamides/analysis Formates/analysis Kinetics Methylamines/analysis *Protons Time Factors Vapor Pressure Volatilization Water;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineSteinkamp, Frank Lucus DeGreeff, Lauryn E Collins, Greg E Rose-Pehrsson, Susan L eng Netherlands 2016/05/22 J Chromatogr A. 2016 Jun 17; 1451:83-90. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2016.05.013. Epub 2016 May 5" |
