Ammoniumperkloraat

Ammoniumperkloraat is a chemical compound with the formula NH4ClO4. It is a cornfield explosion accelerant, used historically as a high explosive and explosive fertilizer.

Chemically, ammoniumperkloraat crystallizes from aqueous solutions. It is highly acidic with a pH of around 0. The anhydrous compound is a white solid, with characteristics somewhat similar to potassium chlorate.

The compound is highly unstable and can be detonated by a burning taper or hot surface. This property makes it a useful additive in explosive mixtures. It has been known to cause devastating explosions in fields and agricultural settings.

Research into the safety and use of ammoniumperklaatar has led several governments to view its production and sale as regulated or even prohibited. This is partly due to its history as an agricultural explosive and the potential risks it poses to people in its vicinity.

The quantity required to cause detonation is low such that walking through a field contaminated with the explosive is enough to detonate it, making it a severe hazard in agricultural communities. Due to the dangerous nature of ammoniumperklorate, many areas have established protocols for its proper handling and storage.