Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide



Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) is an organic peroxide, a high explosive similar to acetone peroxide, and can be dangerous to synthesize. Unlike acetone peroxide, however, MEKP is a colorless, oily liquid at room temperature and pressure, while acetone peroxide is a white solid. It is slightly less sensitive to shock and temperature, and more stable in storage.

Dilute solutions of 30 to 60% MEKP are used in industry and by hobbyists as the catalyst which initiates the polymerization of polyester resins used in glass-reinforced plastic, and casting. For this application, MEKP is dissolved in dimethyl phthalate, cyclohexane peroxide, or diallyl phthalate to reduce sensitivity to shock. Benzoyl peroxide can be used for the same purpose.

MEKP is a severe skin irritant and can cause progressive corrosive damage or blindness.

It was reported that MEKP might have been the explosive that was to be used in the alleged 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot to destroy planes flying from the United Kingdom to the United States. Acetone peroxide, TATP, was another possibility reported by The Register. A third possibility, as reported in the New York Times, was HMTD. All three of these explosives can be synthesized from household ingredients, but in each case the process requires refrigeration and ventilation, and it takes at least 24 hours to produce a useful explosive. Therefore, according to some skeptics, even if all the other technical requirements were met, no such synthesis could possibly be accomplished on any commercial flight.