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Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide



 


Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide

1-hydroperoxy-2-(hydroperoxymethyl)-2-methylbutane
IUPAC name
Chemical formula C4H16O4
Molar mass 128.169 g/mol
Shock sensitivity High
Friction sensitivity
Density 1.15 g/cm³
Explosive velocity Approx. 5200 m/s
RE factor
Melting point Approx. -8;°C
Autoignition temperature 109°C
Appearance colourless, high-viscosity liquid
CAS number 1338-23-4
PubChem 24845732
SMILES


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.

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.


See also

 
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Methyl_ethyl_ketone_peroxide". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
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