Synthesis of MMAN
MMAN, an acronym for monomethylamine nitrate, is a powerful and stable primary explosive compound. Its stability makes it a better choice for a primary explosive and as a test of the independent chemist's skill. When used as a blasting cap MMAN will need to be mixed with an additional sensitive primary explosive to enable it to be detonated. When a MMAN containing blasting does explode it will detonate even insensitive energetic materials. The only problem with MMAN is that it is a hygroscopic compound; it must be kept tightly sealed if storing for any length of time. In this lab any concentration of nitric acid from 20% and greater can be used; it is the number of moles of acid that is important. The given volume is for 100% acid; adjust as needed for weaker concentrations.
- methanamine, nitrate (1:1)
- methanamine, nitrate (9CI)
- methylamine nitrate
- methylamine, nitrate (8CI)
- methylammonium nitrate
- monomethylamine nitrate
- monomethylammonium nitrate
Place 250 mL of 33% methylamine solution in a 1000-mL beaker. Slowly add, with stirring, 385 mL of 100% nitric acid. It will be helpful to divide the acid into four equal portions of 96 mL each and use a salt-ice bath. The acid addition will generate substantial heat and may boil, wait until the solution cools a little before adding the next portion. It is not necessary to add concentrated nitric acid, a concentration as low as 20% will suffice. You must still add the equivalent of 385 mL of pure acid. Remember there is 1 mL of pure acid per 1% of solution in 100 mL. A 20% solution would require 1925 mL. After adding the acid, test the solution with pH paper, or litmus paper. The result must be near pH 7 if using the pH paper and be neutral if using litmus paper. If the solution is acidic add methylamine until pH 7 is reached. If the solution is basic add nitric acid until pH 7 is reached. Evaporate the liquid to precipitate the crystals of MMAN by heating until a slurry is reached, then use vacuum drying to remove the rest of the water. Because the MMAN is hygroscopic, it will be impossible to drive off all the water unless heated under vacuum or placed in a desiccator. Extreme care must be taken when heating an explosive IT CAN EXPLODE. MMAN is safe enough that it only burns when strongly heated. Use either a hotplate, steam bath, or oil bath to heat the explosive. If you have access to vacuum equipment use the vacuum drying method. You will need a graduated cylinder for measuring liquids, and a stirring rod or magnetic stirrer for mixing.
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