Sciencemadness Discussion Board

How To Separate Hexogen From Octogen

Pix - 11-1-2014 at 00:49

How can ı separate hexogen from octogen ? I have just acetone as a solvent
Hexogen more soluble in acetone thus after hexogen dissolved in acetone ı filter acetone from insoluble octogen then can precipitate it ?????

Dany - 11-1-2014 at 03:17

And why you need to separate RDX from HMX?

Dany.

Pix - 13-1-2014 at 05:04

Quote: Originally posted by Dany  
And why you need to separate RDX from HMX?

Dany.

Because There are four hmx crystal forms if HMX contains unstable crystal form thus the rdx will be more sensitive to shock and friction thus I want to separate it

[Edited on 13-1-2014 by Pix]

Dany - 13-1-2014 at 05:54

Quote: Originally posted by Pix  
Because There are four hmx crystal forms if HMX contains unstable crystal form thus the rdx will be more sensitive to shock and friction thus I want to separate it

[Edited on 13-1-2014 by Pix]


Don't exaggerate. if the RDX synthesis is performed via Bachmann process it will contain 10% HMX. the most stable form at room temperature is the beta form (which is the most dense between the 3 other polymorphs). in order to obtain the other polymorphs, you need to recrystallize the HMX with special solvent or to heat the beta form to higher temperature where phase transition occur. A good study on HMX polymorph is done by Howard H. CADY see:

Study on the polymorphs of HMX

the presence of HMX in RDX is not a concern. The HMX will boost the detonation power of the RDX. If you insist to perform the separation you need solvent other than acetone (see patent US 3676425 A). Or you need to synthesize pure RDX from the 1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane. the procedure is described here:

Synthesis of pure RDX

Dany.


[Edited on 13-1-2014 by Dany]

Pix - 13-1-2014 at 06:34

Thank you Dany

Pulverulescent - 13-1-2014 at 06:50

Quote:
-in order to obtain the other polymorphs, you need to recrystallize the HMX with special solvent or to heat the beta form to higher temperature where phase transition occur.

The stable ß-HMX form will convert to the dangerously sensitive δ-HMX at temp.s as low as 150°C . . .

'Nuff said?