6758. Octogen

Nomenclature

CAS number: 2691-41-0
Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine; 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane; cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine; HMX.
C4H8N8O8; mol wt 296.16.
C 16.22%, H 2.72%, N 37.84%, O 43.22%.

Description and references

Prepn: H. Fischer, Ber. 82, 192 (1949); A. F. McKay et al., Can. J. Res. 27, 462 (1949). Determn in explosives by infrared: W. Selig, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission UCRL-7873 (part II), 29 (1965); by HPLC: P. Vouros et al., Anal. Chem. 49, 1039 (1977). Mass spec: E. P. Burrows, Org. Mass Spectrom. 26, 1027 (1991). Thermal analysis of phases using x-ray diffraction: M. Herrmann et al., Z. Kristallogr. 204, 121 (1993). 14N-NMR: M. Kony et al., J. Org. Chem. 59, 5623 (1994). Review of syntheses and properties: B. Singh et al., Def. Sci. J. 28, 41-50 (1978); of thermal behavior: T. L. Boggs, Prog. Astronaut. Aeronaut. 90, 121-175 (1984). Review of toxicology and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for HMX (PB98-101058, 1997) 130 pp.

Chemical structure

Properties

Highly explosive. White crystalline solid, mp 281°. Non-hygroscopic. Four polymorphic forms: α, β, γ and δ. Stability at 300 K: β>α>γ>δ. β is stable at room temp; α at 115-156°C; γ at 156°C; δ at ≈170-279°C. Density (g/cm3): β=1.903; α=1.87; γ=1.82; δ=1.78. Practically insol in water.

Use

In solid propellants and explosives.