Synthesis, stability and detection of triacetone triperoxide via metal complexation

Triacetone triperoxide has been synthesised for a range of experimental studies towards the reactivity, stability and gas phase metal complexation of the explosive. Reaction with transition metals was performed and a series of molten TATP experiments conducted at 120 °C. The effect of a molten state on the degradation, conformation and reactivity of TATP has been studied with the formation of diacetone diperoxide, acetone and acetic acid degradation products observed. The complexation of TATP with a range of metals has been studied by electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry, yielding [M+Cat]+ ions for all of the alkali metals. The first observations of a [TATP+Ag]+ adduct have been made. The formation of [2TATP+Li+LiX]+ (X = Br, Cl) and [2TATP+Ag]+ sandwich complexes was also observed. Collision cross sections (CCS) for the lithium-containing complexes of TATP were measured by travelling wave ion mobility-mass spectrometry, comparing well to computationally determined structures. [Continues.]