Hexamethylenetetramine Dinitrate (HDN): The Precursor for RDX Production by Bachmann Process

Abstract

Hexamethylenetetramine dinitrate (HDN) is a rather weak explosive but is used as a precursor for the synthesis of RDX, one of the most important secondary nitramine explosives. HDN has limited application because of its hygroscopic character. This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of HDN in high yield and purity by the reaction of hexamine with nitric acid at temperatures below 15 °C. It was characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) measurements. The thermal characteristics of HDN were determined by DSC and TG/DTA. The DSC curve of HDN shows an endothermic peak at 170.5 °C corresponding to the melting point of HDN, followed by two exothermic peaks at 174.0 °C and 200.5 °C due to the decomposition. The differences in the thermal behavior of HDN samples, which were thermally aged at 50 °C, 100 °C, and 150 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere were examined. Additionally, some quantum chemical properties of the nitration of hexamethylenetetramine were calculated.

Emission of Toxic HCN During NOx Removal by Ammonia SCR in the Exhaust of Lean‐Burn Natural Gas Engines

“…In addition, small traces of formic acid were measured at low temperatures (Figure B). Considering that at low temperatures NH 3 is known to directly react with aldehydes to form amines, we also cannot exclude the formation of such compounds below 300 °C, which would close the carbon balance at these temperatures. This reaction is also suggested by the slightly higher HCHO conversion at 150 °C vs. 200 °C (Figure S6 in the Supporting Information).…”

Freisetzung von toxischem HCN bei der Stickoxidreduktion mittels NH3‐SCR in mager betriebenen Erdgasmotoren

“…Weiterhin konnten geringe Konzentrationen von Ameisensäure (HCOOH) bei niedrigen Temperaturen beobachtet werden (Abbildung B). In Anbetracht, dass NH 3 bei niedrigen Temperaturen dafür bekannt ist mit Aldehyden zu Aminen zu reagieren, können wir die Bildung solcher Verbindungen unterhalb von 300 °C nicht ausschließen, was die Kohlenstoffbilanz bei diesen Temperaturen wahrscheinlich schließen würde. Diese Reaktion wird auch durch den etwas höheren HCHO‐Umsatz bei 150 °C gegenüber 200 °C angedeutet (Abbildung S6 in den Hintergrundinformationen).…”