Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide
 | |
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name
2-Hydroperoxy-2-((2-hydroperoxybutan-2-yl)peroxy)butane | |
| Systematic IUPAC name
2-[(2-Hydroperoxybutan-2-yl)peroxy]butane-2-peroxol | |
| Other names
Ketonox Mepox | |
| Identifiers | |
| 1759757 | |
1338-23-4  | |
| ChemSpider | 2905622 |
| EC number | 215-661-2 |
| |
| Jmol-3D images | Image |
| MeSH | Methyl+ethyl+ketone+peroxide |
| PubChem | 3672772 |
| |
| UN number | 3105 |
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula |
C8H18O6 |
| Molar mass | 210.22 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Density | 1.170 g cm−3 |
| Explosive data | |
| Shock sensitivity | High |
| Detonation velocity | 5200 m s−1 |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Explosive, Toxic |
| Flash point | 82 °C (180 °F; 355 K) |
| US health exposure limits (NIOSH): | |
| PEL (Permissible) |
none[1] |
| Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa) | |
 verify (what is: /?) | |
| 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. Depending on the experimental conditions, several different adducts of methyl ethyl ketone and hydrogen peroxide are known. The first to be reported was a cyclic dimer, C8H16O4, in 1906.[2] Later studies found that a linear dimer is the most prevalent in the mixture of products typically obtained,[3] and this is the form that is typically quoted in the commercially available material from chemical supply companies.[4]
Dilute solutions of 30 to 60% MEKP are used in industry and by hobbyists as the catalyst which initiates the Crosslinking of unsaturated 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
- ↑ "NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards #0416". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
- ↑ Pastureau, P. (1907). "Le superoxyde de la méthyléthylcétone". Comptes Rendus 144 (2): 90–93.
- ↑ Milas, N. A.; Golubović, A. (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 81 (21): 5824–5826. doi:10.1021/ja01530a068.
- ↑ "2-Butanone peroxide". Sigma-Aldrich. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
See also
- Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
- Acetone Peroxide (TATP)