Alternative Procedures for Preparing HMX

Abstract

Abstract Three new procedures are described for preparing HMX from hexamine, each involving acetylation followed by nitrolysis. One of these — involving DADN as intermediate — gives a better yield of HMX than the established Bachmann process on the basis of hexamine and acetic anhydride, but involves the use of sulfuric and polyphosphoric acids, which are not required in the Bachmann approach. It was shown that DADN can be produced rapidly and continuously on a pilot scale in good yields, and that spent acid recovery involves no unusual problems.