Liquid explosives hydrogen peroxide

Finally, we note that propellants for rockets and the like are often explosive mixtures of liquids 100% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), liquid oxygen, and even liquid fluorine have been used as oxidants in rockets for light substances such as hydrazine (N2H4) or unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine [(CH3)2N—NH2], while torpedoes and submarines have been powered with diesel fuel oxidized by hydrogen peroxide. Indeed, had the fast Walter H2 02-turbine U-boats come into service earlier than December 1944, the Second World War might have taken a rather different turn. 

Pure hydrogen peroxide is a colourless, viscous liquid, m.p. 272.5 K, density l,4gcm . On heating at atmospheric pressure it decomposes before the boiling point is reached and a sudden increase of temperature may produce explosive decomposition, since the decomposition reaction is strongly exothermic ... 

Aqueous cyanide effluent containing a little methanol in a 2 m3 open tank was being treated to destroy cyanide by oxidation to cyanate with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of copper sulfate as catalyst. The tank was located in a booth with doors. Addition of copper sulfate (1 g/1) was followed by the peroxide solution (27 1 of 35 wt%), and after the addition was complete an explosion blew off the doors of the booth. This was attributed to formation of a methanol vapour-oxygen mixture above the liquid surface, followed by spontaneous ignition. It seems remotely possible that unstable methyl hydroperoxide may have been involved in the ignition process. 

The explosion limits have been determined for liquid systems containing hydrogen peroxide, water and acetaldehyde, acetic acid, acetone, ethanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, methanol, 2-propanol or propionaldehyde, under various types of initiation [1], In general, explosive behaviour is noted where the ratio of hydrogen peroxide to water is >1, and if the overall fuel-peroxide composition is stoicheiometric, the explosive power and sensitivity may be equivalent to those of glyceryl nitrate [2],... 

A large volume (11.25 m3) of mixed fatty acids was to be bleached by treatment with successive portions of 50 wt% hydrogen peroxide. 2-Propanol (450 1) was added to the acids (to improve the mutual solubility of the reactants). The first 20 1 portion of peroxide (at 51°C) was added, followed after 1 min by a second portion. Shortly afterwards an explosion occurred, which was attributed to spontaneous ignition of a 2-propanol vapour-oxygen mixture formed above the surface of the liquid. Oxygen is almost invariably evolved from hydrogen peroxide reactions, and volatile flammable solvents are therefore incompatible components in peroxide systems. 

Liquid explosives came into extensive use during World War I when nitro compounds and ammonium nitrate became scarce panclastites were most commonly used for military purposes and oxyliquits in the mining industry. During the World War II the Germans employed liquid mixtures for jet propulsion including a newcomer in this field—a mixture of concentrated (80-85%) hydrogen peroxide with hydrazine for the propulsion of V2 rockets. 

Polymeric a-Oxygen-Suhstituted Peroxides. Polymeric peroxides (3) are formed from the following reactions ketone and aldehydes with hydrogen peroxide, ozonization of unsaturated compounds, and dehydration of ur-hydroxyalkyl hydroperoxides consequently, a variety of polymeric peroxides of this type exist. Polymeric peroxides are generally viscous liquids or amorphous solids, are difficult to characterize, and are prone to explosive decomposition. 

In the absence of a catalyst, the disproportionation is too slow to be observed at room temperature. Rapid, exothermic, and potentially explosive decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is initiated, however, by heat and by a broad range of catalysts, including transition metal ions, certain anions (such as I-), metal surfaces, blood (Figure 14.9), and even tiny particles of dust. Because decomposition is accelerated by light, hydrogen peroxide is stored in dark bottles. It is best handled in dilute aqueous solutions concentrated solutions and the pure liquid are extremely hazardous materials. 

Recent events in London, as reported in the international press, in which an attempt was made to fabricate the explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) in-flight from the liquids acetone and a concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution, have forced the topic of the identification of liquids firmly into the public consciousness. XRD identification of liquids is thus the topic of this section. Several parameters by which XRD profiles of liquids may be characterized will be described here. 

The bombardier beetle] squirts a lethal mixture of hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide into the face of its enemy. These two chemicals, when mixed together literally explode. So in order to store them inside its body, the bombardier beetle has evolved a chemical inhibitor to make them harmless. At the moment the beetle squirts the liquid out of its tail, an antiinhibitor is added to make the mixture explosive once again. The chain of events that could have led to the evolution of such a complex, coordinated and subtle process is beyond biological explanation on a simple step-by-step basis. The slightest alteration in the chemical balance would result immediately in a race of exploded beetles.17... 

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