Study of TATP: Method for determination of residual acids in TATP

Triacetone triperoxide (3,3,6,6,9,9-hexamethyl-1,2,4,5,7,8-hexoxonane, TATP) is nowadays one of the most commonly used improvised explosives. It is prepared by the action of hydrogen peroxide on acetone in an acidic environment. Easily available mineral acids – hydrochloric, sulfuric, nitric and perchloric – are the most often recommended on the extremist web pages dealing with improvised production of explosives. The various TATP producers’ choice of acid mainly depends on the author's experiences and the local availability of the acid. A knowledge of the kind of acid used for TATP production can help in detecting the person who has made the TATP, or who has committed a criminal act using TATP. Therefore, a capillary isotachophoretic method was developed for determination of residual anions (originating from the acid used during TATP synthesis) in the resulting TATP crystals. This analytical method has proved to be reliable; the acid used for TATP synthesis was correctly identified in all samples analyzed.