TATP (Triacetone Triperoxide)
Definition
A cyclic peroxide explosive (C9H18O6) synthesised from acetone, hydrogen peroxide, and an acid catalyst. Sensitive to friction, heat, shock, and prolonged storage. Contains no nitro groups; invisible to standard nitro-calibrated IMS. Detected by LC-MS/MS as [M+NH4]+ at m/z 240.
- Chemical formula
- C9H18O6
- Key precursor chemicals
- Acetone, hydrogen peroxide, acid catalyst
- Detection method
- GC-MS at m/z 222, or LC-MS/MS at m/z 240; invisible to standard nitrate-calibrated IMS
- Sensitivity
- Highly sensitive to friction, heat, and shock
Common questions
What is TATP and how is it made?+
TATP (triacetone triperoxide) is a cyclic organic peroxide explosive with the chemical formula C9H18O6. It is synthesised from acetone, hydrogen peroxide, and an acid catalyst.
Why is TATP difficult to detect at airports?+
TATP contains no nitrogen atoms and no nitro groups, which makes it invisible to standard ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) detection equipment that is calibrated to detect nitrate-based explosives. This detection gap has made TATP particularly dangerous in security contexts.
How sensitive is TATP to environmental conditions?+
TATP is extremely sensitive to friction, heat, shock, and deterioration during storage. These factors can trigger accidental detonation, making it hazardous even during synthesis and handling. Post-blast analysis typically identifies TATP using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at characteristic mass-to-charge ratios.
Related terms
- ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil)
- A low-sensitivity bulk explosive mixture of prilled ammonium nitrate (94 per cent by weight) and fuel oil (6 per cent). The primary...
- HMTD (Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine)
- A peroxide explosive analogue of TATP, synthesised from hexamine (hexamethylenetetramine), hydrogen peroxide, and citric acid. Similar sensitivity profile. Detected by LC-MS/MS as...
- EU Regulation 2019/1148
- The European Union regulation on the marketing and use of explosive precursors, restricting public access to hydrogen peroxide above 12%, nitric acid...
- Urea Nitrate
- An ionic explosive salt formed by neutralisation of urea with nitric acid. Detonation velocity approximately 3,400 m/s. Used in the 1993 World...
- Ammonium Adduct [M + NH4]+
- The dominant ionisation form of TATP in positive-mode ESI LC-MS when ammonium acetate or formate is present in the mobile phase. TATP...
- Ammonium Nitrate Security Program (ANSP)
- A US DHS/CISA program mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill requiring registration of ammonium nitrate facilities and verification of purchaser identity. A...
- Anti-Handling Device (AHD)
- A secondary circuit element that initiates the device if it is moved, tilted, vibrated, or opened; designed to defeat EOD render-safe procedures;...
- Blast Seat
- The origin point of an explosion, characterised by a crater (in contact detonations), radiating damage patterns, and the highest concentration of explosive...
- Chapman-Jouguet Pressure
- The detonation pressure at the reaction zone/product interface in a steadily propagating detonation. For ANFO at operational density, approximately 5 GPa (versus...
- Command-Initiated Switch
- A firing switch that requires an active remote signal from the device operator to complete the initiation circuit; categories include RF, infrared,...
- Commercial Pyrotechnic Powder
- Low explosives (black powder and flash powder) extracted from commercially available fireworks. Used in the Boston Marathon bombing devices. Not subject to...
- DADP (Diacetone Diperoxide)
- A six-membered ring peroxide co-product of TATP synthesis. Less stable than TATP. Detected alongside TATP in post-blast samples where the synthesis conditions...
Explained in these topics
- Homemade Explosives: TATP, HMTD, Urea Nitrate and Precursor ControlA cyclic organic peroxide explosive (C9H18O6) synthesised from acetone, hydrogen peroxide, and an acid catalyst. Contains no nitrogen, evading nitrate-based IM...
- Improvised Explosive Device Anatomy and TriageA primary explosive synthesised from acetone, hydrogen peroxide, and an acid catalyst; among the most commonly encountered improvised main charges in European...
- Improvised Explosives: TATP, ANFO, Urea Nitrate and Modern IEDsA cyclic peroxide explosive (C9H18O6) synthesised from acetone, hydrogen peroxide, and an acid catalyst. Sensitive to friction, heat, shock, and prolonged stor...
- Major Bombing Casework: Oklahoma, Mumbai, 7/7, Boston, ManchesterA peroxide-based primary explosive synthesised from acetone, hydrogen peroxide, and acid. Highly sensitive to friction, shock, and heat. Used in the 7/7 London...