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The thermal decomposition of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) was investigated over the temperature range 151 to 230 °C and found to be first order out to a high degree of conversion. Arrhenius parameters were calculated: activation energy, 151 kJ/mol and pre-exponential factor, 3.75×1013 s−1. Under all conditions the principle decomposition products were acetone (about 2 mole per mole TATP in the gas-phase and 2.5–2.6 mole per mole in condensed-phase) and carbon dioxide. Minor products included some ascribed to reactions of methyl radical: ethane, methanol, 2-butanone, ethyl acetate; these increased at high temperature. Methyl acetate and acetic acid were also formed in the decomposition of neat TATP; the former was more evident in the gas-phase decompositions (151 °C and 230 °C) and the latter in the condensed-phase decompositions (151 °C). The decomposition of TATP in condensed-phase or in hydrogen-donating solvents enhanced acetone production, suppressed CO2 production, and slightly increased the rate constant (a factor of 2–3). All observations were interpreted in terms of decomposition pathways initiated by OO homolysis.
Oxley et al. (Sun,) studied this question.