Hydrazinium Nitriminotetrazolates

Hydrazinium 5‐nitrimino‐1H‐tetrazolate ( 1 ) and dihydrazinium nitriminotetrazolate monohydrate ( 2 ) were synthesized by the reaction of hydrazine with 5‐nitriminotetrazole. The energetic compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (only 2 ), NMR spectroscopy, IR‐ and Raman spectroscopy as well as DSC measurements. The sensitivities towards impact, friction and electrical discharge were determined. In addition, several detonation parameters (e.g. heat of explosion, detonation velocity) were computed by the EXPLO5 computer code based on calculated (CBS‐4M) heats of formation and X‐ray densities.     

Hydroxylammonium 5‐Nitriminotetrazolates

The hydroxylammonium salts of monodeprotonated 5‐nitriminotetrazole ( 4 ), double deprotonated 5‐nitriminotetrazole ( 5 ), 1‐methyl‐5‐nitriminotetrazole ( 6 ), and 2‐methyl‐5‐nitraminotetrazole ( 7 ) have been prepared in high yield from the corresponding 5‐nitriminotetrazoles as free acids and an aqueous solution of hydroxylamine or the metathesis reactions of hydroxylammonium hydrochloride with the silver salt of the corresponding nitriminotetrazole, respectively. The energetic salts 4 – 7 were fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction ( 4 – 6 ), NMR spectroscopy, IR‐ and Raman spectroscopy as well as DSC measurements. The sensitivities towards impact, friction and electrical discharge were determined. In addition, several detonation parameters (e.g. heat of explosion, detonation velocity) were computed by the EXPLO5.04 computer code based on calculated (CBS‐4M) heats of formation and X‐ray densities.     

A Study of the 3,3,3‐Trinitropropyl Unit as a Potential Energetic Building Block

Compared with the well‐established 2,2,2‐trinitroethyl group in the chemistry of energetic materials, the 3,3,3‐trinitropropyl group is less investigated regarding its chemical and energetic properties. Thus, investigations on the syntheses of several compounds containing the 3,3,3‐trinitropropyl group were performed and their properties compared with the 2,2,2‐trinitroethyl group. All materials were thoroughly characterized, including single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The thermal stabilities were examined using differential thermal analysis (DSC) and the sensitivities towards impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge were tested using a drop hammer, a friction tester, and an electrical discharge device. The energies of formation were calculated and several detonation parameters such as the velocity of detonation and the propulsion performance were estimated with the program package EXPLO5.     

Polynitro Containing Energetic Materials based on Carbonyldiisocyanate and 2, 2‐Dinitropropane‐1, 3‐diol

New polynitro compounds containing a carbonyl biscarbamate moiety derived from the precursor carbonyldiisocyanate were synthesized. In addition, 2, 2‐dinitropropane‐1, 3‐diyl bis(2, 2,2‐trinitroethylcarbamate) and 2, 2‐dinitropropane‐1, 3‐diyl bis(2, 2,2‐trinitroethyl) dicarbonate, were synthesized using 2, 2‐dinitropropane‐1, 3‐diol as starting material. The compounds were characterized by using the analytical methods, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman), multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. The thermal behavior was investigated with DSC measurements. The suitability of the compounds as potential oxidizers in energetic formulations was determined. The heats of formation of the compounds were calculated with GAUSSIAN 09. The detonation parameters such as the detonation pressure, velocity, energy, and temperature were computed using the EXPLO5 code. For a secure handling of the materials, the sensitivity towards impact, friction, and electrical discharge was tested using the BAM drop hammer, BAM friction tester as well as a small‐scale electrical discharge device, respectively.     

Synthesis and Characterization of 3,3′‐Bis(Dinitromethyl)‐5,5′‐Azo‐1H‐1,2,4‐Triazole

The synthesis of 3,3′‐bis(dinitromethyl)‐5,5′‐azo‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 5 ) using the readily available starting material 2‐(5‐amino‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)acetic acid ( 1 ) is described. All compounds were characterized by means of NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy. The energetic compound 5 was additionally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and DSC measurements. The sensitivities towards impact, friction and electrical discharge were determined. In addition, detonation parameters (e.g. heat of explosion, detonation velocity) of the target compound were computed using the EXPLO5 code based on the calculated (CBS‐4M) heat of formation and X‐ray density.     

Synthesis of 5‐Aminotetrazole‐1 N‐oxide and Its Azo Derivative: A Key Step in the Development of New Energetic Materials

1‐Hydroxy‐5‐aminotetrazole ( 1 ), which is a long‐desired starting material for the synthesis of hundreds of new energetic materials, was synthesized for the first time by the reaction of aqueous hydroxylamine with cyanogen azide. The use of this unique precursor was demonstrated by the preparation of several energetic compounds with equal or higher performance than that of commonly used explosives, such as hexogen (RDX). The prepared compounds, including energetic salts of 1‐hydroxy‐5‐aminotetrazole (hydroxylammonium ( 2 , two polymorphs) and ammonium ( 3 )), azo‐coupled derivatives (potassium ( 5 ), hydroxylammonium ( 6 ), ammonium ( 7 ), and hydrazinium 5,5′‐azo‐bis(1‐N‐oxidotetrazolate ( 8 , two polymorphs)), as well as neutral compounds 5,5′‐azo‐bis(1‐oxidotetrazole) ( 4 ) and 5,5′‐bis(1‐oxidotetrazole)hydrazine ( 9 ), were intensively characterized by low‐temperature X‐ray diffraction, IR, Raman, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and DSC. The calculated energetic performance, by using the EXPLO5 code, based on the calculated (CBS‐4M) heats of formation and X‐ray densities confirm the high energetic performance of tetrazole‐N‐oxides as energetic materials. Last but not least, their sensitivity towards impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge were explored. 5,5′‐Azo‐bis(1‐N‐oxidotetrazole) deflagrates close to the DDT (deflagration‐to‐detonation transition) faster than all compounds that have been investigated in our research group to date.     

1,5‐Di(nitramino)tetrazole: High Sensitivity and Superior Explosive Performance

Highly energetic 1,5‐di(nitramino)tetrazole and its salts were synthesized. The neutral compound is very sensitive and one of the most powerful non‐nuclear explosives to date. Selected nitrogen‐rich and metal salts were prepared. The potassium salt can be used as a sensitizer in place of tetracene. The obtained compounds were characterized by low‐temperature X‐ray diffraction, IR and Raman spectroscopy, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and DSC. Calculated energetic performances using the EXPLO5 code based on calculated (CBS‐4M) heats of formation and X‐ray densities support the high energetic performances of the 1,5‐dinitraminotetrazolates as energetic materials. The sensitivities towards impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge were also explored.     

N‐Nitrosarcosine: An Economic Precursor for the Synthesis of New Energetic Materials

New energetic compounds have been synthesized starting from the readily available N‐(cyanomethyl)‐N‐methylamine. From this, N‐nitrosarcosine was prepared in few steps, which serves as a starting material for the synthesis of oxygen‐rich compounds. The compounds were thoroughly characterized including multinuclear NMR and vibrational spectroscopy and also molecular structures by single X‐ray diffraction were obtained. Their energetic properties were determined including the sensitivities towards impact and friction, their heat of formations were calculated and the detonation and combustion parameters were predicted using EXPLO5 V6.02.     

A Study of 5‐(1,2,4‐Triazol‐C‐yl)tetrazol‐1‐ols: Combining the Benefits of Different Heterocycles for the Design of Energetic Materials

The synthesis and full structural and spectroscopic characterization of three 5‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐C‐yl)tetrazol‐1‐ol compounds with selected energetic moieties including nitrimino ( 5 ), nitro ( 6 ) and azido ( 7 ) groups are reported. The influence of those energetic moieties as well as the C? C connection of a tetrazol‐1‐ol and a 1,2,4‐triazole on structural and energetic properties has been investigated. All compounds were well characterized by various means, including IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and DSC. The molecular structures of 5 – 8 were determined in the solid state by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The standard heats of formation were calculated on the CBS‐4M level of theory utilizing the atomization energy method, revealing highly positive values for all compounds. The detonation parameters were calculated with the EXPLO5 program and compared to the common secondary explosive RDX. Additionally, sensitivities towards impact, friction and electrostatic discharge were determined.     

Nitrogen‐Rich 5,5′‐Bistetrazolates and their Potential Use in Propellant Systems: A Comprehensive Study

A large variety of twice‐deprotonated nitrogen‐rich 5,5′‐bistetrazolates, that is, the ammonium ( 1 ), hydrazinium ( 2 ), hydroxylammonium ( 3 ), guanidinium ( 4 ), aminoguanidinium ( 5 ), diaminoguanidinium ( 6 ), triaminoguanidinium ( 7 ), and diaminouronium ( 8 ) salts, have been synthesized. Energetic compounds 1 – 8 were fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (except 8 ), NMR spectroscopy, IR and Raman spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. With respect to their potential use in propellant applications, the sensitivity towards impact, friction, and electrical discharge were determined. Several propulsion and detonation parameters (e.g., heat of explosion, detonation velocity) were computed by using the EXPLO5 computer code based on calculated (CBS‐4M) heats of formation and X‐ray densities. Additionally, the performance of 1 – 8 in various formulations was investigated by calculating the specific energy and specific impulse of the compounds under isochoric conditions.     

Nitrogen‐Rich Bis‐1,2,4‐triazoles—A Comparative Study of Structural and Energetic Properties

In this contribution, the synthesis and full structural and spectroscopic characterization of five bis‐1,2,4‐triazoles in combination with different energetic moieties like amino, nitro, nitrimino, azido, and dinitromethylene groups is presented. The main goal is a comparative study on the influence of those energetic moieties on the structural and energetic properties. A complete characterization including IR, Raman, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy of all compounds is presented. Additionally, X‐ray crystallographic measurements were performed and deliver insight into structural characteristics as well as inter‐ and intramolecular interactions. The standard enthalpies of formation were calculated for all compounds at the CBS‐4M level of theory, the detonation parameters were calculated by using the EXPLO5.05 program. Additionally, the impact as well as the friction sensitivities and the sensitivity against electrostatic discharge were determined. The potential application of the synthesized compounds as energetic material will be studied and evaluated by using the experimentally obtained values for the thermal decomposition, the sensitivity data, and the calculated performance characteristics.     

Furazans with Azo Linkages: Stable CHNO Energetic Materials with High Densities,Highly Energetic Performance,and Low Impact and Friction Sensitivities

Various highly energetic azofurazan derivatives were synthesized by simple and efficient chemical routes. These nitrogen‐rich materials were fully characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Four of them were further confirmed structurally by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. These compounds exhibit high densities, ranging from 1.62 g cm^?3 up to a remarkably high 2.12 g cm^?3 for nitramine‐substituted azofurazan DDAzF ( 2 ), which is the highest yet reported for an azofurazan‐based CHNO energetic compound and is a consequence of the formation of strong intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding networks. From the heats of formation, calculated with Gaussian 09, and the experimentally determined densities, the energetic performances (detonation pressure and velocities) of the materials were ascertained with EXPLO5 v6.02. The results suggest that azofurazan derivatives exhibit excellent detonation properties (detonation pressures of 21.8–46.1 GPa and detonation velocities of 6602–10 114 m s^?1) and relatively low impact and friction sensitivities (6.0–80 J and 80–360 N, respectively). In particular, they have low electrostatic spark sensitivities (0.13–1.05 J). These properties, together with their high nitrogen contents, make them potential candidates as mechanically insensitive energetic materials with high‐explosive performance.     

1,1′‐Nitramino‐5,5′‐bitetrazoles

1,1′‐Dinitramino‐5,5′‐bitetrazole and 1,1′‐dinitramino‐5,5′‐azobitetrazole were synthesized for the first time. The neutral compounds are extremely sensitive and powerful explosives. Selected nitrogen‐rich salts were prepared to adjust sensitivity and performance values. The compounds were characterized by low‐temperature X‐ray diffraction, IR and Raman spectroscopy, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and DTA/DSC. Calculated energetic performances using the EXPLO5 code based on calculated (CBS‐4M) heats of formation and X‐ray densities support the high performances of the 1,1′‐dinitramino‐5,5′‐bitetrazoles as energetic materials. The sensitivities toward impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge were also explored. Most of the compounds show sensitivities in the range of primary explosives and should only be handled with great care!     

Magnesium Azotetrazole‐1,1′‐dioxide: Synthesis and Promising Properties of Green Insensitive Energetic Materials

Magnesium azotetrazole‐1,1′‐dioxide ( 1 ) was first prepared and intensively characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and DSC measurements. The heat of formation was calculated using the atomization energy method based on quantum chemistry and the heat of detonation was also predicted. The NBO analysis was performed for inspecting charge distributions. The sensitivities towards impact and friction were tested using the BAM standard. The high detonation performance (5289 kJ · kg^–1), good thermal stabilities (245.5 °C) and excellent insensitivity (39.2 J and >360 N) as well as clean decomposition products supports it of great interest as a promising candidate of green insensitive energetic materials.     

3,3′‐Bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazoles) Featuring the Fluorodinitromethyl and Trinitromethyl Groups

Here we report on the preparation of two hydrogen atom free 3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole) derivatives. 5,5′‐Bis(fluorodinitromethyl)‐3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole) was synthesised by fluorination of diammonium 5,5′‐bis(dinitromethanide)‐3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole). For our previously reported analogue 5,5′‐bis(trinitromethyl)‐3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole), a new synthetic route starting from new 3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazolyl)‐5,5′‐diacetic acid was developed. In this course also hitherto unknown 5,5′‐dimethyl‐3,3′‐bi(1,2,4‐oxadiazole) was isolated. The compounds were characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR and Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis as well as mass spectrometry. X‐ray diffraction studies were performed and the crystal structures for the 5,5'‐dimethyl and 5,5'‐(fluorodinitromethyl) derivatives are reported. The energetic 5,5'‐(fluorodinitromethyl) and 5,5'‐(trinitromethyl) compounds do not contain any hydrogen atoms and show remarkable high densities. Furthermore, the thermal stabilities and sensitivities were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and standardised impact and friction tests. The heats of formation were calculated by the atomisation method based on CBS‐4M enthalpies. With these values and the room‐temperature X‐ray densities, several detonation and propulsion parameters, such as the detonation velocity and pressure as well as the specific impulse of mixtures with aluminium, were computed using the EXPLO5 code.     

Synthesis and Characterization of 3,5‐Diamino‐1,2,4‐triazolium Dinitramide

3,5‐Diamino‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 1 , guanozol) was protonated with diluted hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, as well as perchloric acid forming 3,5‐diamino‐1,2,4‐triazolium chloride hemihydrate ( 2 ), 3,5‐diamino‐1,2,4‐triazolium nitrate ( 3 ) and 3,5‐diamino‐1,2,4‐triazolium perchlorate ( 4 ), respectively. In a second step 4 reacted with potassium dinitramide forming 3,5‐diamino‐1,2,4‐triazolium dinitramide ( 5 ) and low soluble potassium perchlorate. Compounds 2 – 5 were characterized by low temperature single X‐ray diffraction, IR and Raman as well as multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and differential scanning calorimetry. The heats of formation of 1 – 5 were calculated by the CBS‐4M method to be 81.1 ( 1 ), 124.7 ( 2 ), –76.1 ( 3 ), –25.2 ( 4 ) and 138.7 ( 5 ) kJ·mol^–1. With these values as well as the X‐ray densities several detonation parameters were calculated using both computer codes EXPLO5.03 and EXPLO5.04. In addition, the sensitivities of 1 – 5 were determined by the BAM drophammer and friction tester as well as a small scale electrical discharge device.     

High‐Oxygen‐Balance Furazan Anions: A Good Choice for High‐Performance Energetic Salts

3,4‐Diaminofurazan was conveniently converted into energetic salts of 3,4‐dinitraminofurazan that were paired with nitrogen‐rich cations in fewer than three steps. Seven energetic salts were prepared and fully characterized by multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C) NMR and IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and elemental analysis. In addition, the structures of the ammonium salt ( 2 ), hydrazinium salt ( 4 ), hydroxylammonium salt ( 5 ), aminoguanidinium salt ( 7 ), diaminoguanidinium salt ( 8 ) and triaminoguanidinium salt of 3,4‐dinitraminofurazan ( 9 ) were further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The densities of these salts were between 1.673 ( 8 ) and 1.791 g cm^?3 ( 5 ), whilst their oxygen balances were between ?48.20 % ( 9 ) and ?6.25 % ( 5 ). These salts showed high thermal stabilities, with decomposition temperatures between 179 ( 5 ) and 283 °C ( 6 ). Their sensitivities towards impact and friction were measured by BAM equipment to be between <1 J ( 9 ) and >40 J ( 6 – 8 ) and 64 N ( 9 ) and >360 N ( 6 ), respectively. The detonation performance of these compounds, which was calculated by using the EXPLO5 program, revealed detonation pressures of between 28.0 ( 6 ) and 40.5 GPa ( 5 ) and detonation velocities of between 8404 ( 6 ) and 9407 m s^?1 ( 5 ).     

Energetic Derivatives of 4, 4′,5, 5′‐Tetranitro‐2, 2′‐bisimidazole (TNBI)

4, 4′,5, 5′‐Tetranitro‐2, 2′‐bisimidazole (TNBI) was synthesized by nitration of bisimidazole (BI) and recrystallized from acetone to form a crystalline acetone adduct. Its ammonium salt ( 1 ) was obtained by the reaction with gaseous ammonia. In order to explore new explosives or propellants several energetic nitrogen‐rich 2:1 salts such as the hydroxylammonium ( 3 ), guanidinium ( 4 ), aminoguanidinium ( 5 ), diaminoguanidinium ( 6 ) and triaminoguanidinium 7 4, 4′,5, 5′‐tetranitro‐2, 2′‐bisimidazolate were prepared by facile metathesis reactions. In addition, methylated 1, 1′‐dimethyl‐4, 4′,5, 5′‐tetranitro‐2, 2′‐bisimidazole (Me₂TNBI, 8 ) was synthesized by the reaction of 2 and dimethyl sulfate. Metal salts of TNBI can also be easily synthesized by using the corresponding metal bases. This was proven by the synthesis of pyrotechnically relevant dipotassium 4, 4′,5, 5′‐tetranitro‐2, 2′‐bisimidazolate ( 2 ), which is a brilliant burning component e.g. in near‐infrared flares. All compounds were characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR and vibrational spectroscopy, elemental analysis and DSC. The sensitivities were determined by BAM methods (drophammer and friction tester). The heats of formation were calculated using CBS‐4M electronic enthalpies and the atomization method. With these values and mostly the X‐ray densities different detonation parameters were computed by the EXPLO5 computer code. Due to the great thermal stability and calculated energetic properties, especially guanidinium salt 4 could be served as a HNS replacement.     

Dense Energetic Nitraminofurazanes

3,3′‐Diamino‐4,4′‐bifurazane ( 1 ), 3,3′‐diaminoazo‐4,4′‐furazane ( 2 ), and 3,3′‐diaminoazoxy‐4,4′‐furazane ( 3 ) were nitrated in 100 % HNO₃ to give corresponding 3,3′‐dinitramino‐4,4′‐bifurazane ( 4 ), 3,3′‐dinitramino‐4,4′‐azofurazane ( 5 ) and 3,3′‐dinitramino‐4,4′‐azoxyfurazane ( 6 ), respectively. The neutral compounds show very imposing explosive performance but possess lower thermal stability and higher sensitivity than hexogen (RDX). More than 40 nitrogen‐rich compounds and metal salts were prepared. Most compounds were characterized by low‐temperature X‐ray diffraction, all of them by infrared and Raman spectroscopy, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Calculated energetic performances using the EXPLO5 code based on calculated (CBS‐4M) heats of formation and X‐ray densities support the high energetic performances of the nitraminofurazanes as energetic materials. The sensitivities towards impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge were also explored. Additionally the general toxicity of the anions against vibrio fischeri, representative for an aquatic microorganism, was determined.     

Preparation,Crystal Structure,and Thermal Analysis of Two Energetic Salts Based on Nitro Phenolic Compounds with Diamino‐glyoxine

As a key research objective for environmentally friendly energetic materials, energetic salts without heavy metal have received wide attention. The energetic salts DAG · PA · H₂O ( 1 ) and DAG · TNR · H₂O ( 2 ) were synthesized by using diamino‐glyoxine (DAG) and picric acid (PA) or 2, 4,6‐trinitro‐resorcinol (TNR) as raw materials, and their structures were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Single crystals of the title salts were cultured and their structures were determined by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. Both salts belong to the triclinic space group P1 with density values of 1.764 and 1.751 g · cm^–3, respectively. The thermal decomposition behaviors of both salts were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the non‐isothermal kinetic parameters and the critical temperature of thermal explosion were calculated. The heats of formation for the salts were also determined through the combustion heats date measured by using the oxygen bomb calorimetry. In addition, the detonation pressure (P) and detonation velocities (D) of the salts were predicted by using the K‐J equations, and their sensitivities towards impact and friction were tested. The results indicated that the title salts have potential applications in the field of energetic materials.