Fully C/N‐Polynitro‐Functionalized 2,2′‐Biimidazole Derivatives as Nitrogen‐ and Oxygen‐Rich Energetic Salts

Through the use of a fully C/N‐functionalized imidazole‐based anion, it was possible to prepare nitrogen‐ and oxygen‐rich energetic salts. When N,N‐dinitramino imidazole was paired with nitrogen‐rich bases, versatile ionic derivatives were prepared and fully characterized by IR, and ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Both experimental and theoretical evaluations show promising properties for these energetic compounds, such as high density, positive heats of formation, good oxygen balance, and acceptable stabilities. The energetic salts exhibit promising energetic performance comparable to the benchmark explosive RDX (1,3,5‐trinitrotriazacyclohexane).     

Energetic 4,4′‐Oxybis[3,3′‐(1‐hydroxytetrazolyl)]furazan and Its Salts

Energetic compounds that incorporate multiple nitrogen‐rich heterocycles are of great interest for high‐density energetic materials. A facile synthetic strategy to combine an oxy bridge and furazan groups, as well as tetrazole‐ols, into a molecule ( 5 ) was found. Some energetic salts based on 5 were prepared by neutralization. All of the compounds were fully characterized. Additionally, the structure of 7 has been elucidated by single‐crystal XRD analysis. Physicochemical and energetic properties were also studied; these show that these newly designed energetic salts exhibit good thermal stabilities. Hydroxylammonium salt ( 6 ) has a detonation performance and sensitivities comparable with those of 1,3,5‐trinitroperhydro‐1,3,5‐triazine (RDX).     

3,4,5‐Trinitropyrazole‐Based Energetic Salts

High‐density energetic salts that are comprised of nitrogen‐rich cations and the 3,4,5‐trinitropyrazolate anion were synthesized in high yield by neutralization or metathesis reactions. The resulting salts were fully characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopy; differential scanning calorimetry; and elemental analysis. Additionally, the structures of the 3,5‐diaminotriazolium and triaminoguanidinium 3,4,5‐trinitropyrazolates were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Based on the measured densities and calculated heats of formation, the detonation performances (pressure: 23.74–31.89 GPa; velocity: 7586–8543 ms^?1; Cheetah 5.0) of the 3,4,5‐trinitropyrazolate salts are comparable with 1,3,5‐triamino‐2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene (TATB; 31.15 GPa and 8114 ms^?1). Impact sensitivities were determined to be no less than 35 J by hammer tests, which places these salts in the insensitive class.     

1,2,3‐Triazolo[4,5,‐e]furazano[3,4,‐b]pyrazine 6‐Oxide—A Fused Heterocycle with a Roving Hydrogen Forms a New Class of Insensitive Energetic Materials

The straightforward synthesis and energetic properties of a new class of energetic materials, 1,2,3‐triazolo‐ [4,5‐e]furazano[3,4‐b]pyrazine 6‐oxide and its energetic salts are described. They were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction are given. The X‐ray structures show that in the title compound, the hydrogen atom is bonded to the nitrogen in the pyrazine ring; however, in the salts, the negative charge is associated with the triazole nitrogen. Heats of formation for all compounds were calculated with the G2 method and then combined with experimentally determined densities to obtain detonation pressures (P) and velocities (D) by using EXPLO5 program. These new materials exhibit good densities and thermal stabilities, high heats of formation, acceptable detonation properties, and are insensitive to impact.     

Syntheses and Promising Properties of Dense Energetic 5,5′‐Dinitramino‐3,3′‐azo‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole and Its Salts

A planar energetic molecule with high density, 5,5′‐dinitramino‐3,3′‐azo‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole ( 4 ), was obtained by the nitration of 5,5′‐diamino‐3,3′‐azo‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole using 100 % nitric acid. In addition, selected nitrogen‐rich salts were prepared. Of them, the neutral compound 4 and its hydroxylammonium salt, 6 , were further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Physicochemical and energetic properties including density, thermal stability, and sensitivity were investigated. The energetic performance from the calculated heats of formation and experimental densities indicates that many of them have potential applications as energetic materials.     

Energetic Salts Based on an Oxygen‐Containing Cation: 2,4‐Diamino‐1,3,5‐triazine‐6‐one

A family of energetic salts with high thermal stability and low impact sensitivity based on an oxygen‐containing cation, 2,4‐diamino‐1,3,5‐triazine‐6‐one, were synthesized and fully characterized by IR and multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C) NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Insights into their sensitivities towards impact, friction, and electrostatics were gained by submitting the materials to standard tests. The structures of 2,4‐diamino‐1,3,5‐triazine‐6‐one nitrate, 2,4‐diamino‐1,3,5‐triazine‐6‐one sulfate, 2,4‐diamino‐1,3,5‐triazine‐6‐one perchlorate, 2,4‐diamino‐1,3,5‐triazine‐6‐one 5‐nitrotetrazolate were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction; their densities are 1.691, 1.776, 1.854, and 1.636 g cm^?3, respectively. Most of the salts decompose at temperatures over 180 °C; in particular, the salts 2,4‐diamino‐1,3,5‐triazine‐6‐one nitrate and 2,4‐diamino‐1,3,5‐triazine‐6‐one perchlorate, which decompose at 303.3 and 336.4 °C, respectively, are fairly stable. Furthermore, most of the salts exhibit excellent impact sensitivities (>40 J), friction sensitivities (>360 N), and are insensitive to electrostatics. The measured densities of these energetic salts range from 1.64 to 2.01 g cm^?3. The detonation pressure values calculated for these salts range from 14.6 to 29.2 GPa, and the detonation velocities range from 6536 to 8275 m s^?1; these values make the salts potential candidates for thermally stable and insensitive energetic materials.     

Small Cation‐Based High‐Performance Energetic Nitraminofurazanates

Large nitramino‐substituted furazan anions were combined with small cations (hydroxylammonium, hydrazinium, and ammonium) to form a series of energetic salts that was fully characterized. The structures of several of the compounds ( 1 a , 2 a , 3 a , and 4 a ) were further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Based on their physiochemical properties, such as density, thermal stability, and sensitivity, together with the calculated detonation properties, it was found that they exhibit good detonation performance and have potential application as high‐energy‐density materials.     

Novel Highly Energetic Pyrazoles: N‐Trinitromethyl‐Substituted Nitropyrazoles

A new family of energetic compounds, nitropyrazoles bearing a trinitromethyl moiety at the nitrogen atom of the heterocycle, was designed. The desirable high‐energy dense oxidizers 3,4‐dinitro‐ and 3,5‐dinitro‐1‐(trinitromethyl)pyrazoles were synthesized in good yields by destructive nitration of the corresponding 1‐acetonylpyrazoles. All of the prepared compounds were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopy, as well as by elemental analysis. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies show remarkably high density. Impact sensitivity tests and thermal stability measurements were also performed. All of the pyrazoles possess positive calculated heats of formation and exhibit promising energetic performance that is the range of 1,3,5‐trinitroperhydro‐1,3,5‐triazine and pentaerythritol tetranitrate. The new pyrazoles exhibit positive oxygen balance and are promising candidates for new environmentally benign energetic materials.     

3,6,7‐Triamino‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐b][1,2,4]triazole: A Non‐toxic,High‐Performance Energetic Building Block with Excellent Stability

A novel strategy for the design of energetic materials that uses fused amino‐substituted triazoles as energetic building blocks is presented. The 3,6,7‐triamino‐7H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐b][1,2,4]triazolium (TATOT) motif can be incorporated into many ionic, nitrogen‐rich materials to form salts with advantages such as remarkably high stability towards physical or mechanical stimuli, excellent calculated detonation velocity, and toxicity low enough to qualify them as “green explosives”. Neutral TATOT can be synthesized in a convenient and inexpensive two‐step protocol in high yield. To demonstrate the superior properties of TATOT, 13 ionic derivatives were synthesized and their chemical‐ and physicochemical properties (e.g., sensitivities towards impact, friction and electrostatic discharge) were investigated extensively. Low toxicity was demonstrated for neutral TATOT and its nitrate salt. Both are insensitive towards impact and friction and the nitrate salt combines outstanding thermal stability (decomposition temperature=280 °C) with promising calculated energetic values.     

Polynitro‐Functionalized Dipyrazolo‐1,3,5‐triazinanes: Energetic Polycyclization toward High Density and Excellent Molecular Stability

A new fused N‐heterocyclic framework, dipyrazolo‐1,3,5‐triazinane, was synthesized and the physiochemical properties of its derivatives were investigated to evaluate the integrated energetic performance. In contrast to 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazinane (RDX) featuring a distorted chair confirmation, polynitro‐functionalized dipyrazolo‐1,3,5‐triazinanes have nearly planar backbones, thereby enhancing the density and thermal stability. Among these new energetic tricyclic compounds, 5 a and 12 show favorable crystal densities of 1.937 g cm⁻³ and 1.990 g cm⁻³ at 150 K, respectively, which rank highest in triazinane‐based energetic compounds. Additionally, this synthetic approach was carried out to form seven‐membered and eight‐membered rings, giving rise to tetranitro dipyrazolo‐1,3,5‐triazepane ( 5 b ) and tetranitro dipyrazolo‐1,3,5‐triazocane ( 5 c ), respectively.     

Nitrogen‐rich Salts based on 3‐Dinitromethyl‐[1,2,4]triazine: Synthesis,Characterization, and Performance

1,1‐Diamino‐2,2‐dinitroethylene (FOX‐7), one of the most well‐known energetic materials, has attracted broad attention around the world. To extend the chemistry of FOX‐7, we present here a series of energetic salts based on 3‐dinitromethyl‐[1,2,4]triazine, which is prepared from FOX‐7. All these salts were fully characterized using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. In addition, the potassium salt ( 2 ), ammonium salt ( 5 ), and guanidinium salt ( 7 ) were further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Extensive hydrogen bonds were observed in these salts. The salts exhibit moderate densities varying from 1.63 to 1.76 g · cm^–3. All the compounds possess good thermal stability with decomposition temperatures from 118 to 267 °C. The detonation performance for salts were calculated by using EXPLO 5, their detonation velocities are in the range from 6807 to 8614 m · s^–1 and detonation pressures fall between 18.8 to 31.6 GPa. All the salts exhibit very low mechanical sensitivity, which indicates their potential application as insensitive energetic materials.     

From N‐Nitro to N‐Nitroamino: Preparation of High‐Performance Energetic Materials by Introducing Nitrogen‐Containing Ions

In the design of energetic materials, high energetic performance and good molecular stability are two main goals. Energetic functionalization which strives for maximum energy often results in unstable chemical bonds and causes safety problems in practical production and storage operations. In this work, N‐nitro‐ and N‐nitroamino‐functionalized mono‐ and bis(1,2,4‐triazoles) were synthesized and characterized by infrared, and multinuclear NMR spectra, and elemental analyses. The N‐nitroamino‐functionalization strategy was employed for bis(imidazole), leading to high density compound 14 (2.007 g cm^?3 at 100 K; 1.94 g cm^?3 at room temperature) and energetic salt 15 . While N‐nitro‐functionalized products are thermally unstable and highly moisture sensitive, N‐nitroamino‐functionalized energetic salts, which are comprised of additional nitrogen‐containing ions, exhibit good density, moderate to excellent structural stabilities, and high performance.     

Combining the Advantages of Tetrazoles and 1,2,3‐Triazoles: 4,5‐Bis(tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐1,2,3‐triazole, 4,5‐Bis(1‐hydroxytetrazol‐5‐yl)‐1,2,3‐triazole,and their Energetic Derivatives

In the development of new energetic materials, the main challenge is the combination of high energy content with chemical and mechanical stability, two properties that are often contradictory. In this study, the syntheses and comprehensive characterizations of 4,5‐bis(tetrazole‐5‐yl)‐1,2,3‐triazole and the novel 4,5‐bis(1‐hydroxytetrazole‐5‐yl)‐1,2,3‐triazole, as well as their energetic properties, are presented, combining the advantages of the more energetic tetrazole and the more stable 1,2,3‐triazole rings. Nitrogen‐rich salts of both compounds were synthesized to investigate their detonation performances and combustion behavior calculated by computer codes for potential application in erosion‐reduced gun propellant mixtures due to their high nitrogen content. The structures of several of the compounds were studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and, especially in the case of 4,5‐bis(tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐1,2,3‐triazole, revealed the site of deprotonation.     

Nitrogen‐Rich Energetic Dianionic Salts of 3, 4‐Bis(1H‐5‐­tetrazolyl)furoxan with Excellent Thermal Stability

Nitrogen‐rich 3, 4‐bis(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)furoxan (H₂BTF, 2 ) and its energetic salts with excellent thermal stability were successfully synthesized and fully characterized by ¹H, and ¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and elemental analyses. Additionally, the structures of barium ( 3 ) and 1‐methyl‐3, 4, 5‐triamino‐triazolium ( 10 ) salts were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The densities of the energetic salts paired with organic cations range between 1.56 and 1.85 g · cm^–3 as measured by a gas pycnometer. Based on the measured densities and calculated heats of formation, the detonation pressures and velocities are calculated to be in the range 23.4–32.0 GPa and 7939–8915 m · s^–1, which make them competitive energetic materials.     

Nitrogen‐Rich Amino‐triazolium Salts Based on Binary 4,5‐Dicyano‐1,2,3‐triazolate (C4N5–) Anion

A series of amino‐triazolium salts based on 4,5‐dicyano‐1,2,3‐triazolate (C₄N₅^–) anion were synthesized for first time by means of facile deprotonation reactions. The ionic compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The thermal stability of the salts was assessed by differential scanning calorimetry, which showed good thermal stabilities up to above 180 °C. The heats of formation of these salts were computed using the methods of isodesmic reactions. In addition, the sensitivities of the studied salts toward impact and friction were determined, and all salts were found to be neither impact (> 40 J) nor friction sensitive (> 360 N).     

N‐Oxide 1,2,4,5‐Tetrazine‐Based High‐Performance Energetic Materials

One route to high density and high performance energetic materials based on 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine is the introduction of 2,4‐di‐N‐oxide functionalities. Based on several examples and through theoretical analysis, the strategy of regioselective introduction of these moieties into 1,2,4,5‐tetrazines has been developed. Using this methodology, various new tetrazine structures containing the N‐oxide functionality were synthesized and fully characterized using IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Hydrogen peroxide (50 %) was used very effectively in lieu of the usual 90 % peroxide in this system to generate N‐oxide tetrazine compounds successfully. Comparison of the experimental densities of N‐oxide 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine compounds with their 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine precursors shows that introducing the N‐oxide functionality is a highly effective and feasible method to enhance the density of these materials. The heats of formation for all compounds were calculated with Gaussian 03 (revision D.01) and these values were combined with measured densities to calculate detonation pressures (P) and velocities (ν_D) of these energetic materials (Explo 5.0 v. 6.01). The new oxygen‐containing tetrazines exhibit high density, good thermal stability, acceptable oxygen balance, positive heat of formation, and excellent detonation properties, which, in some cases, are superior to those of 1,3,5‐tritnitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5‐trinitrotriazacyclohexane (RDX), and octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine (HMX).     

Insensitive Nitrogen‐Rich Materials Incorporating the Nitroguanidyl Functionality

A new class of nitroguanidyl‐functionalized nitrogen‐rich materials derived from 1,3,5‐triazine and 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine was synthesized through reactions between N‐nitroso‐N′‐alkylguanidines and the hydrazine derivatives of 1,3,5‐triazine or 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine. These compounds were fully characterized using multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopies, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The heats of formation for all compounds were calculated with Gaussian 03 and then combined with experimental densities to determine the detonation pressures (P) and velocities (D_v) of the energetic materials. Interestingly, some of the compounds exhibit an energetic performance (P and D_v) comparable to that of RDX, thus holding promise for application as energetic materials.     

Carbonyl and Oxalyl Bridged Bis(1,5‐Diaminotetrazole)‐Based Energetic Salts

High density energetic salts containing nitrogen rich cations and carbonyl‐ or oxalylbis(diamino‐tetrazole) anions, which were obtained from cyanogen azide and hydrazine, were readily synthesized. In every case, a new family of energetic salts 3 – 14 were characterized by vibrational spectroscopy, multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N) NMR, elemental analyses, density, differential scanning calorimetry and impact sensitivity. Compound 12 was structured by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The densities of 3 ‐ 14 , determined by gas pycnometer, range between 1.500 and 1.676 g cm^?3. The heats of formation and detonation properties for these stable salts were calculated by using Gaussian 03 and Cheetah 5.0, respectively.     

Energetic Salts Based on Furazan‐Functionalized Tetrazoles: Routes to Boost Energy

Based on the backbone of the furazan‐tetrazole structure, routes were developed to improve the properties of energetic materials. Two types of high‐density energetic salts were designed, prepared, and fully characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray analyses support the structural characteristics for two amino salts. A majority of the salts exhibited good detonation properties, high thermal stabilities, and relatively low impact and friction sensitivities. Hydroxylammonium and hydrazinium salts, 1 – 3 and 1 – 4 , which have relatively high densities (1.84 and 1.74 g cm^?3,, respectively), acceptable impact and friction sensitivities (14 J, 160 N and 28 J, 360 N), and good detonation pressures (38.3 and 32.2 GPa) and velocities (9323 and 9094 m s^?1), have performance properties superior to 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazinane (RDX) and triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB).     

“One‐Step” Synthesis of Ionic Ferrocenyl Compounds of Ferrocenylmethyldimethylamine. Characterization,Migration, and Catalytic Properties During Combustion

Alkylferrocene‐based burning rate catalysts exhibit high migration tendency and volatility during prolonged storage and fabrication process of the solid propellants. To retard the migration problems, eight ionic compounds composed of ferrocenylmethyldimethylammonium cation paired with a common energetic anion, were synthesized by “one‐step” procedure. The compounds were characterized by FT‐IR, NMR, and UV/Vis spectroscopy as well as elementary analysis. Their crystal structures were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The TG and DSC analyses indicated that they exhibit high thermal stability. Cyclic voltammetry studies suggested that most of them show reversible or quasi‐reversible redox waves. The anti‐migration results revealed that 1 – 4 are low‐migratory compounds, but 5 exhibits high migration trends. The TG curves at 70 °C for 24 h showed that all of them have low volatility. They have from high to low impact sensitivity depending on the anions of the compounds. They all exhibit significant effect on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) and some of them accelerate the thermal degradation of 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane (RDX). Among them 4 is the best one. Unexpectedly, compound 5 , with 1H‐tetrazolate as anion, can decompose into its original reactants at the temperature just higher than its melting point and could show smart‐material functionality in solid propellants.