Synthesis of pure RDX

Abstract

For the bioremediation of explosives, there is the need for RDX uncontaminated by HMX. (In the Bachmann process, RDX always has residual HMX.) There are two methods for synthesizing pure RDX: one involving oxidation of R-salt, the other nitration of hexamine. Absence of HMX in the RDX samples was confirmed by NMR and melting points.