Two ammonias are the byproduct of the reaction between hexamine and H2O2 which produces one mole of HMTD .
Usually what you would do is add just sufficient acid like
HCl or HNO3 or acetic acid to the cold mixture so that the byproduct of two ammonias is neutralized as the reaction proceeds . Using hexamine
dinitrate as the precursor instead of hexamine , the neutralization equivalent is already included in the precursor .
Why would you wash HMTD with sodium bicarbonate ?
To neutralize ammonia you would use a dilute acid like acetic acid ....not a mild base like sodium bicarbonate . |