Differences in Density for TATP/DADP: Is the Dimer Form More Unstable?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the stability differences between the dimer and trimer forms of acetone peroxide (AP), specifically triacetone triperoxide (TATP). The dimer, with a molar mass of approximately 148.157 g/mol, has a density slightly less than 1 g/cm³, causing it to float in water, while the trimer, at about 222.24 g/mol, is denser than water and sinks. The user, Zak, suggests that the dimer is significantly more unstable than the trimer and proposes skimming the dimer (DADP) from the water for separate testing of its sensitivity to friction, heat, and shock. However, the discussion is limited by forum rules prohibiting discussions on explosives.

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zker666
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I have recently been experimenting with triacetone triperoxide (tatp), and I have been storing it under water since that is the only way it is stable. However, I have noticed that most of the powder suspended in water is clearly denser than the water, and about a fifth of it is floating on top of the water. I am guessing that the process to make the tatp yields some of the dimer form of the AP, which is about 148.157g/mol, which is slightly less than 1g/cm3 which would explain it floating on the water, whereas the trimer of AP is about 222.24g/mol, which would make it denser than 1g/cm3, thus causing it to sink. I am curious about this because the dimer is way more unstable than the trimer, and could be worth skimming the dadp off of the top and storing it separately, and do some small scale testing and comparing the friction, heat, and shock sensitivity of each. Input would be greatly appreciated! :) -Zak
 
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1. We don't discuss explosives here.

2. I am not aware of any sure way of converting molar masses to densities, so I don't see where your numbers come from. But it is a moot in the light of the point 1.

Topic locked.
 

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