Analytical method development for trace detection of energetic organic peroxides by gas chromatography mass spectrometry

Organic peroxides are a group of energetic compounds that began to develop a century ago. Since then, some of them have been used to generate novel compounds, others permit a better understanding of the biological processes, however terrorists have been using some of these compounds for bomb elaboration and to evade the anti-terrorist vigilance. Due to the lack of nitro (–NO 2) groups, they are difficult to detect by current explosive detection technology. These compounds can be synthesized from household products, which make them very dangerous and a threat to national security. For this reason, it has been developed an analytical method for the trace detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and diacetone diperoxide (DADP) by reliable techniques such as gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS).;TATP and DADP are two cyclic peroxides of easy preparation, strong explosive power and sensitive to heat, impact and friction. A method has been developed and validated for the analysis of TATP at level as low as 50 picograms by GC-MS taking consideration the stability of these compounds. The method was used to detect traces of TATP after a controlled explosion using 1.00 mg by impact. The method has a great potential for utilization in forensic cases and in the detection of explosive artifacts that can be use TATP to avoid detection.