Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide

Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide
Preferred IUPAC name 2-Hydroperoxy-2-((2-hydroperoxybutan-2-yl)peroxy)butane[citation needed]
Systematic name 2-[(2-Hydroperoxybutan-2-yl)peroxy]butane-2-peroxol[citation needed]
Other names Ketonox Mepox Thermacure
Identifiers
CAS number	1338-23-4 Y
PubChem	3672772
ChemSpider	2905622 Y
EC number	215-661-2
UN number	3105
MeSH	Methyl+ethyl+ketone+peroxide
Beilstein Reference	1759757
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES CCC(C)(OO)OOC(C)(CC)OO
InChI InChI=1S/C8H18O6/c1-5-7(3,11-9)13-14-8(4,6-2)12-10/h9-10H,5-6H2,1-4H3 N Key: WFUGQJXVXHBTEM-UHFFFAOYSA-N N
Properties
Molecular formula	C8H18O6
Molar mass	210.22 g mol−1
Exact mass	210.110338308 g mol-1
Appearance	Colorless liquid
Density	1.170 g cm-3
Explosive data
Shock sensitivity	High
Explosive velocity	5.2 km s-1
Hazards
Main hazards	Explosive, Toxic
Flash point	82 °C
N ethyl ketone peroxide (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) is an organic peroxide, a high explosive similar to acetone peroxide. MEKP is a colorless, oily liquid whereas acetone peroxide is a white powder at STP; MEKP is slightly less sensitive to shock and temperature, and more stable in storage.^[1][2]

Dilute solutions of 30 to 60% MEKP are used in industry and by hobbyists as the catalyst which initiates the polymerization of polyester resins used in glass-reinforced plastic, and casting. For this application, MEKP is dissolved in dimethyl phthalate, cyclohexane peroxide, or diallyl phthalate to reduce sensitivity to shock. Benzoyl peroxide can be used for the same purpose.

MEKP is a severe skin irritant and can cause progressive corrosive damage or blindness.

MEKP, acetone peroxide and HMTD have all been reported to be the explosives used in the alleged 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot.

Notes

1. ^ In 1906, French chemist Pierre Pastureau first synthesized MEKP (albeit in the cyclic dimer form: C₈H₁₆O₄). See: Pastureau (14 January 1907) "Le superoxyde de la méthyléthylcélone," Comptes Rendus, vol. 144, no. 2, pages 90-93.
2. ^ See also: Nicholas A. Milas and A. Golubović (1959) "Studies in Organic Peroxides. XXV. Preparation, Separation and Identification of Peroxides Derived from Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Hydrogen Peroxide," Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 81, pages 5824-26.

See also

• Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)

External links

• The Register: Mass murder in the skies: was the plot feasible?
• New York Times: Details Emerge in British Terror Case
• The Free Information Society: HMTD Synthesis