Exploding bubblegum kills chemistry student

Marvinthefish

This is a horrific accident that happened in the Ukraine. I wonder what chemical it was and how on earth he mixed them up.

Associated Press article here

Along with my condolences to his family and colleagues, rule number one in the chemistry lab is: Don't eat chemicals.

Neal_B

that really is shocking. But it sounds like it could have SO easily been avoided, it's like something that would happen on a cartoon

Turtwig

Jesus, I feel awful.

My initial reaction was that this was some sort of Mission Impossible parody but....that's bloody awful. Poor guy.
RIP.:(

craggles

He was clearly a crap chemist

chem

My God:eek: But rule number one in chemistry. Dont eat or drink in the lab! R.I.P

I knew a bloke, who used to drink his tea, from a beaker in the lab. Very bad habbit. Accidents do happen.

So sorry to hear about this accident, regards to his friends and family.

Michaelrsh

Prank gone wrong?

Kevster

Im guessing that it was some anhydrous metallic-carbanote? (e.g. anhydrous sodium-carbonate)

Kevin

Phractal

Several debates were had over on one of the energetics forums I frequent, the most likely candidate is an Organic Peroxide - perhaps TATP, HMTD or an Ether Peroxide, pr likely copper contaminated HMTD. All of these are dangerous materials. However, organic perchlorates are also a possibility as they both have the brisance (explosive power to crush, destroy, wreak havoc...) to do the damage, and the sensitivity to detonate when 'chewed'.

Most explosives will not detonate when chewed, especially when wet! Perhaps something like NI3, except that would not have the requisite power... I believe the best suspect is a white, crystalline solid high explosive with high brisance, high VoD, high gas generation and extreme friction sensitivity. Most likely impure or contaminated, and likely decomposing - rendering it chemically unstable.

An anhydrous carbonate would not do that kind of damage - it is merely a gas generator of a slow rate when reacted with an acid (compared to explosives, which generate LOTS of gas in mere microseconds.