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HMX
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<p>HMX, also called octogen, is a powerful and relatively insensitive <a href="/facts/Nitroamine/8AfjeDyJ">nitroamine</a> <a href="/facts/High_explosive/sUme5Pp8">high explosive</a> chemically related to <a href="/facts/RDX/ke3nK9zI">RDX</a>. The compound's name is the subject of much speculation, having been variously listed as High Melting Explosive, High-velocity Military Explosive, or High-Molecular-weight RDX. </p><p>The molecular structure of HMX consists of an eight-membered ring of alternating carbon and nitrogen atoms, with a nitro group attached to each nitrogen atom. Because of its high mass-specific <a href="/facts/Enthalpy_of_formation/UFgGC7UQ">enthalpy of formation</a>, it is one of the most potent chemical explosives manufactured, although a number of newer ones, including <a href="/facts/Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane/DFNY72fM">HNIW</a> and <a href="/facts/Octanitrocubane/q6Us5HQM">ONC</a>, are more powerful. </p>