Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine
Encyclopedia
Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) is a
high explosive organic compound
, first synthesised in 1885 by Legler. The theorised structure lent itself well to acting as an initiating, or primary explosive. While still quite sensitive to shock and friction, it was relatively stable compared to other initiating explosives of the time, such as mercury fulminate, and proved to be relatively inexpensive and easy to synthesise. As such, it was quickly taken up as a primary explosive in mining applications. However, it has since been superseded by even more stable compounds such as tetryl
.
and hexamine
in the presence of citric acid
or dilute sulfuric acid
as a catalyst.
No peroxide has found practical use as an explosive, a consequence of the weak oxygen–
oxygen bond leading to poor thermal and chemical stability and a high sensitivity to impact. HMTD is a more powerful
initiating explosive than mercury fulminate but its poor thermal and chemical stability prevents
its use in detonators.
Like other organic peroxides such as acetone peroxide
, HMTD is an unstable compound that is sensitive to shock, friction, and heat. This makes the substance extremely dangerous to manufacture. It also reacts with most common metals, which can lead to detonation. HMTD is very stable when pure (acid free) and does not quickly sublime like its acetone counterparts.
, the al-Qaeda Millennium Bomber, used HMTD as one of the components in the explosives that he prepared to bomb Los Angeles International Airport on New Year's Eve
1999/2000; the explosives could have produced a blast 40x greater than that of a devastating car bomb
.
Despite no longer being used in any official application, and despite its shock-sensitivity, HMTD remains a common home-made explosive
and has been used in a large number of suicide bombings throughout the world, and was possibly used in the 7 July 2005 London bombings
. Bristol
student Isa Ibrahim was charged for possession of HMTD. The New York Times reported it as the planned explosive in the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot
.
high explosive organic compound
Organic compound
An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...
, first synthesised in 1885 by Legler. The theorised structure lent itself well to acting as an initiating, or primary explosive. While still quite sensitive to shock and friction, it was relatively stable compared to other initiating explosives of the time, such as mercury fulminate, and proved to be relatively inexpensive and easy to synthesise. As such, it was quickly taken up as a primary explosive in mining applications. However, it has since been superseded by even more stable compounds such as tetryl
Tetryl
2,4,6-Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine commonly referred to as tetryl is a sensitive explosive compound used to make detonators and explosive booster charges....
.
Preparation and properties
HMTD may be prepared by the reaction of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxideHydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide and an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid, slightly more viscous than water. In dilute solution, it appears colorless. With its oxidizing properties, hydrogen peroxide is often used as a bleach or cleaning agent...
and hexamine
Hexamine
Hexamethylenetetramine is a heterocyclic organic compound with the formula 6N4. This white crystalline compound is highly soluble in water and polar organic solvents. It has a cage-like structure similar to adamantane. It is useful in the synthesis of other chemical compounds, e.g. plastics,...
in the presence of citric acid
Citric acid
Citric acid is a weak organic acid. It is a natural preservative/conservative and is also used to add an acidic, or sour, taste to foods and soft drinks...
or dilute sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid is a strong mineral acid with the molecular formula . Its historical name is oil of vitriol. Pure sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive, colorless, viscous liquid. The salts of sulfuric acid are called sulfates...
as a catalyst.
No peroxide has found practical use as an explosive, a consequence of the weak oxygen–
oxygen bond leading to poor thermal and chemical stability and a high sensitivity to impact. HMTD is a more powerful
initiating explosive than mercury fulminate but its poor thermal and chemical stability prevents
its use in detonators.
Like other organic peroxides such as acetone peroxide
Acetone peroxide
Acetone peroxide is an organic peroxide and a primary high explosive. It takes the form of a white crystalline powder with a distinctive bleach-like odor....
, HMTD is an unstable compound that is sensitive to shock, friction, and heat. This makes the substance extremely dangerous to manufacture. It also reacts with most common metals, which can lead to detonation. HMTD is very stable when pure (acid free) and does not quickly sublime like its acetone counterparts.
Terrorism
Ahmed RessamAhmed Ressam
Ahmed Ressam is an Algerian al-Qaeda member who lived in Montreal, Canada.He was convicted of attempting to bomb the Los Angeles International Airport on New Year's Eve 1999, as part of the foiled 2000 millennium attack plots...
, the al-Qaeda Millennium Bomber, used HMTD as one of the components in the explosives that he prepared to bomb Los Angeles International Airport on New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
1999/2000; the explosives could have produced a blast 40x greater than that of a devastating car bomb
Car bomb
A car bomb, or truck bomb also known as a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device , is an improvised explosive device placed in a car or other vehicle and then detonated. It is commonly used as a weapon of assassination, terrorism, or guerrilla warfare, to kill the occupants of the vehicle,...
.
Despite no longer being used in any official application, and despite its shock-sensitivity, HMTD remains a common home-made explosive
Improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
and has been used in a large number of suicide bombings throughout the world, and was possibly used in the 7 July 2005 London bombings
7 July 2005 London bombings
The 7 July 2005 London bombings were a series of co-ordinated suicide attacks in the United Kingdom, targeting civilians using London's public transport system during the morning rush hour....
. Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
student Isa Ibrahim was charged for possession of HMTD. The New York Times reported it as the planned explosive in the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot
2006 transatlantic aircraft plot
The 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot was a terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives carried on board at least 10 airliners travelling from the United Kingdom to the United States and Canada...
.