Products
Many of the chemicals involved are available in pharmacies and drugstores. Caution is advised when selling them. Suspicious transactions should be reported by specialists to the Federal Office of Police (fedpol). In many countries, legislation is currently being adapted to regulate access to precursors for private individuals and to make their misuse as difficult as possible. Currently, chemicals legislation is liberal. In the EU, the adjustment has already taken place in 2014. Depending on the concentration (not the quantity), a permit will be required for purchase in the future or access will be prohibited. In addition, the private manufacture of explosive substances will be prohibited. In the EU, these precursors are referred to as explosives precursors.
Abuse
Precursors can be misused for the illegal manufacture of explosives. In the past, several terrorist attacks have been carried out using homemade explosives. Many are oxidizers, which provide oxygen for redox reactions. The metals listed, on the other hand, are reducing agents. For example, acetone and hydrogen peroxide can be used to prepare the explosive acetone peroxide (APEX). Nitroglycerin, which is contained in dynamite, can be obtained with glycerin and a mixture of the nitric acid and sulfuric acid. Black powder can be mixed with activated carbon powder, sulfur and potassium nitrate. Young people and adults who like to experiment also use such substances to make their own explosives and fireworks. This has repeatedly led to serious self-accidents in the past.
Legal areas of application
It should be noted that several of the chemicals mentioned are also and primarily used for legal purposes. Some examples are listed below:
- Acetone as a nail polish remover.
- Hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent (eg, hunter, hairdressing salon) and disinfectant.
- Potassium nitrate as pickling salt, for example, for sausage production.
- Ammonium nitrate as a fertilizer.
- For chemistry experiments, for example, in chemistry classes. Pyrotechnics fascinates and brings young people closer to chemistry.
Examples of precursors (starting materials).
Amines:
- Methenamine (hexamine)
Chlorates and perchlorates:
- Potassium chlorate
- Potassium perchlorate
- Sodium chlorate
- Sodium perchlorate
Metals:
- Aluminum powder
- Magnesium powder
Nitrates (saltpeter):
- Ammonium nitrate
- Calcium ammonium nitrate
- Calcium nitrate
- Potassium nitrate
- Magnesium nitrate hexahydrate
- Sodium nitrate
Nitro compounds:
- Nitromethane
Solvent:
- Acetone
Peroxides:
- Hydrogen peroxide
Acids:
- Nitric acid
- Sulfuric acid
