Cyclic acetone peroxides (CAP) are a group of explosives made by mixing acetone and peroxide. The explosives are popular with terrorists but are dangerous to make and to handle. CAP is a leading cause of finger amputation in amateur chemists.
Synonym: Mother of Satan
Ingredients:
(1) acetone
(2) hydrogen peroxide 30% or 50%
(3) acid to catalyze the reaction (sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric)
(4) temperature control
Explosive compounds formed include:
(1) triacetone triperoxide (TATP, a cyclic compound)
(2) diacetone diperoxide (DADP)
(3) tetramer
Advantages
(1) chemicals are relatively easy to obtain
(2) CAP can be difficult to detect
The main disadvantage is that it is highly unstable, with detonation triggered by:
(1) heat
(2) static electricity
(3) friction
(4) shock
(5) concentrated sulfuric acid (which is a problem if used as the catalyst)
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