Preparation of cyclonite from paraformaldehyde, ammonium nitrate and acetic anhydride

PREPARATION OF CYCLONITE FROM PARAFORMALDEHYDE, AMMONIUM NITRATE AND ACETIC ANHYDRIDE 

This method was worked out by Ebele [38], and known as the E-method in Germany. The same method was also invented independently by Ross and Schiessler [58] in Canada in 1940. In this process paraformaldehyde and ammonium nitrate undergo dehydration under the influence of acetic anhydride with the formation of cyclonite according to the equation  

The studies of Wright et al. [59], and Winkler et al. [60] led to the conclusion that this method involves two essential steps. 

The first is the synthesis of hexamethylenetetramine in acetic anhydride from paraformaldehyde and ammonium nitrate  

The detailed mechanism of this reaction will be dealt with later on p. 113. 

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Preparation of cyclonite from hexamine, niiric acid and ammonium nitrate 3. Preparation of cyclonite from sulphamic acid, formaldehyde and niiric acid A. Preparation of cyclonite from paraformaldehyde, ammonium nitrate and acetic anhydride... 

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