Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)‐4‐(2‐Bromovinyl)benzene‐sulfonyl Azide and Its Synthetic Utility for the Transformation to (Z)‐N‐[4‐(2‐Bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl]imidates

A novel method for the stereoselective synthesis of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide by simultaneous azidation and debrominative decarboxylation of anti‐2,3‐dibromo‐3‐(4‐chlorosulfonylphenyl)propanoic acid using NaN₃ only was developed. Facile transformation of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide to (Z)‐N‐[4‐ (2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl]imidates was also achieved by Cu‐catalyzed three‐component coulping of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide, terminal alkynes and alcohols/phenols.     

Energetic Hydrazine‐Based Salts with Nitrogen‐Rich and Oxidizing Anions

1,1,1‐Trimethylhydrazinium iodide ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂]I, 1 ) was reacted with a silver salt to form the corresponding nitrate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][NO₃], 2 ), perchlorate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][ClO₄], 3 ), azide ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][N₃], 4 ), 5‐amino‐1H‐tetrazolate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][H₂N? CN₄], 5 ), and sulfate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂]₂[SO₄]?2H₂O, 6 ?2H₂O) salts. The metathesis reaction of compound 6 ?2H₂O with barium salts led to the formation of the corresponding picrate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][(NO₂)₃Ph ‐ O], 7 ), dinitramide ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][N(NO₂)₂], 8 ), 5‐nitrotetrazolate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][O₂N? CN₄], 9 ), and nitroformiate ([(CH₃)₃N? NH₂][C(NO₂)₃], 10 ) salts. Compounds 1 – 10 were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, infrared/Raman spectroscopy, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N). Additionally, compounds 1 , 6 , and 7 were also characterized by low‐temperature X‐ray diffraction techniques (XRD). Ba(NH₄)(NT)₃ (NT=5‐nitrotetrazole anion) was accidentally obtained during the synthesis of the 5‐nitrotetrazole salt 9 and was also characterized by low‐temperature XRD. Furthermore, the structure of the [(CH₃)₃N? NH₂]⁺ cation was optimized using the B3LYP method and used to calculate its vibrational frequencies, NBO charges, and electronic energy. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to assess the thermal stabilities of salts 2 – 5 and 7 – 10 , and the sensitivities of the materials towards classical stimuli were estimated by submitting the compounds to standard (BAM) tests. Lastly, we computed the performance parameters (detonation pressures/velocities and specific impulses) and the decomposition gases of compounds 2 – 5 and 7 – 10 and those of their oxygen‐balanced mixtures with an oxidizer.     

Energetic Properties of Rocket Propellants Evaluated through the Computational Determination of Heats of Formation of Nitrogen‐Rich Compounds

The use of ab initio and DFT methods to calculate the enthalpies of formation of solid ionic compounds is described. The results obtained from the calculations are then compared with those from experimental measurements on nitrogen‐rich salts of the 2,2‐dimethyltriazanium cation (DMTZ) synthesized in our laboratory and on other nitrogen‐rich ionic compounds. The importance of calculating accurate volumes and lattice enthalpies for the determination of heats of formation is also discussed. Furthermore, the crystal structure and hydrogen‐bonding networks of the nitroformate salt of the DMTZ cation is described in detail. Lastly, the theoretical heats of formation were used to calculate the specific impulses (I_sp) of the salts of the DMTZ cation in view of a prospective application in propellant formulations.     

2‐Azido‐2‐deoxycellulose: Synthesis and 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition

Chitosan ( 1 ) was prepared by basic hydrolysis of chitin of an average molecular weight of 70000 Da, ¹H‐NMR spectra indicating almost complete deacetylation. N‐Phthaloylation of 1 yielded the known N‐phthaloylchitosan ( 2 ), which was tritylated to provide 3a and methoxytritylated to 3b . Dephthaloylation of 3a with NH₂NH₂?H₂O gave the 6‐O‐tritylated chitosan 4a . Similarly, 3b gave the 6‐O‐methoxytritylated 4b . CuSO₄‐Catalyzed diazo transfer to 4a yielded 95% of the azide 5a , and uncatalyzed diazo transfer to 4b gave 82% of azide 5b . Further treatment of 5a with CuSO₄ produced 2‐azido‐2‐deoxycellulose ( 7 ). Demethoxytritylation of 5b in HCOOH gave 2‐azido‐2‐deoxy‐3,6‐di‐O‐formylcellulose ( 6 ), which was deformylated to 7 . The 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of 7 to a range of phenyl‐, (phenyl)alkyl‐, and alkyl‐monosubstituted alkynes in DMSO in the presence of CuI gave the 1,2,3‐triazoles 8 – 15 in high yields.     

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.     

Azulene‐substituted pyranylium salts. Syntheses and products characterization

The synthesis of 4‐azulene‐substituted 2,6‐diphenyl‐ and 2,6‐dimethyl‐pyranylium salts and 2‐azulenesubstituted 4,6‐dimethyl‐pyranylium salts by nucleophilic substitution at pyranylium moiety with various azulenes was studied. The starting materials for 2,6‐diphenyl derivatives were 4 chlorinated pyranylium salts. They were obtained by the halogenation with PCl₅ of corresponding pyranones and were used either in situ or after separation. For the synthesis of dimethyl derivatives the corresponding pyranones were treated with POCl₃ and the resulted intermediate was reacted in situ with azulene. In the aim to study the influence of dihedral angle between azulene and pyranylium planes on the recorded spectra, both moieties were adequately substituted. The obtained results were in accord with the calculated values.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Bis(triaminoguanidinium) 5,5′‐Dinitrimino‐3,3′‐azo‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazolate – A Novel Insensitive Energetic Material

The synthesis of 5,5′‐diamino‐3,3′‐azo‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 3 ) by reaction of 5‐acetylamino‐3‐amino‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 2 ) with potassium permanganate is described. The application of the very straightforward and efficient acetyl protection of 3,5‐diamino‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole allows selective reactions of the remaining free amino group to form the azo‐functionality. Compound 3 is used as starting material for the synthesis of 5,5′‐dinitrimino‐3,3′‐azo‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 4 ), which subsequently reacted with organic bases (ammonia, hydrazine, guanidine, aminoguanidine, triaminoguanidine) to form the corresponding nitrogen‐rich triazolate salts ( 5 – 9 ). All substances were fully characterized by IR and Raman as well as multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. Selected compounds were additionally characterized by low temperature single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction measurements. The heats of formation of 4 – 9 were calculated by the CBS‐4M method to be 647.7 ( 4 ), 401.2 ( 5 ), 700.4 ( 6 ), 398.4 ( 7 ), 676.5 ( 8 ), and 1089.2 ( 9 ) kJ · mol^–1. With these values as well as the experimentally determined densities several detonation parameters were calculated using both computer codes EXPLO5.03 and EXPLO5.04. In addition, the sensitivities of 5 – 9 were determined by the BAM drophammer and friction tester as well as a small scale electrical discharge device.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur von 2‐Azido‐4,6‐dichloro‐s‐triazin

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 2‐Azido‐4,6‐dichloro‐s‐triazine Single crystals of 2‐azido‐4,6‐dichloro‐s‐triazine were obtained from a reaction between cyanuric chloride and sodium azide. The structure of this compound was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. 2‐Azido‐4,6‐dichloro‐s‐triazine crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca (no. 61), Z = 8, a = 746.48(8) pm, b = 952.6(1) pm, c = 2001.6(2) pm. The crystal structure contains (C₃N₃)(N₃)Cl₂ molecules being arranged in a tape‐like fashion, with tapes running along a‐axis direction. The tapes are combined with each other by interlocking azide‐ligands including an angle of approximately 90°. This arrangement leads to the formation of corrugated layers in the crystal structure.     

Cu (I) Catalyzed One Pot SN‐Click Reactions of Halogenated Coumarins and 1‐aza‐coumarins

A one pot three component, copper catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition reaction has been employed for the synthesis of bis‐coumarinyl triazoles ( A – D ) using 4‐chloro, 4‐bromomethyl, 3‐bromoacetyl and 4‐bromomethyl‐1‐aza‐coumarins ( I – IV ), sodium azide, and coumarin propargyl ethers ( V – IX ) in moderate yields.     

Refinement of Copper(II) Azide with 1‐Alkyl‐5H‐tetrazoles: Adaptable Energetic Complexes

A concept for stabilizing highly sensitive and explosive copper(II) azide with 1‐N‐substituted tetrazoles is described. It was possible to stabilize the system by the use of highly endothermic, nitrogen‐rich ligands. The sensitivities of the resulting energetic copper coordination compounds can be tuned further by variation of the alkyl chain of the ligands and by phlegmatization of the complexes with classical additives during the synthesis. It is demonstrated, using the compound based on 1‐methyl‐5H‐tetrazole ([Cu(N₃)₂(MTZ)], 1 ) that this class of complexes can be applied as a potential replacement for both lead azide (LA) and lead styphnate (LS). The complex was extensively investigated according to its chemical (elemental analysis, single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy) and physico‐chemical properties (differential thermal analysis, sensitivities towards impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge) compared to pure copper(II) azide.     

Catalyst‐ and solvent‐free synthesis of 2‐fluoro‐N‐(3‐methylsulfanyl‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐yl)benzamide through a microwave‐assisted Fries rearrangement: X‐ray structural and theoretical studies

An efficient approach for the regioselective synthesis of (5‐amino‐3‐methylsulfanyl‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)(2‐fluorophenyl)methanone, C₁₀H₉FN₄OS, (3), from the N‐acylation of 3‐amino‐5‐methylsulfanyl‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole, (1), with 2‐fluorobenzoyl chloride has been developed. Heterocyclic amide (3) was used successfully as a strategic intermediate for the preparation of 2‐fluoro‐N‐(3‐methylsulfanyl‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐yl)benzamide, C₁₀H₉FN₄OS, (4), through a microwave‐assisted Fries rearrangement under catalyst‐ and solvent‐free conditions. Theoretical studies of the prototropy process of (1) and the Fries rearrangement of (3) to provide (4), involving the formation of an intimate ion pair as the key step, were carried out by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The crystallographic analysis of the intermolecular interactions and the energy frameworks based on the effects of the different molecular conformations of (3) and (4) are described.     

Synthesis of azide end‐functionalized isotactic polypropylene building block and renewed modular synthesis of diblock copolymers of isotactic polypropylene and poly(ε‐caprolactone)

This article details a synthesis of azide end‐functionalized isotactic polypropylene (i‐PP), a unique polymeric building block that can engage in Huisgen's 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azide and alkyne (click reaction) to construct well‐defined i‐PP‐based polymer architecture. Controlled, consecutive chain transfer reaction to 1,2‐bis(4‐vinylphenyl)ethane and hydrogen in metallocene‐mediated propylene polymerization catalyzed by rac‐Me₂Si(2‐Me‐4‐Ph‐Ind)₂ZrCl₂/MAO resulted in styryl‐terminated i‐PP (i‐PP‐t‐St) of controlled molecular weight. Following a regioselective hydrochlorination reaction, the terminal styryl groups were quantatively transformed to 1‐chloroethylbenzene groups, which was further reacted with NaN₃ to give i‐PP terminated with an azide group (i‐PP‐t‐N₃). Structural monitoring of the polymers through the whole transformation process using ¹H NMR and FTIR as well as GPC and DSC reveals a clean and clear formation of i‐PP‐t‐N₃ (M_n in between 10,000 and 40,000 g/mol). This clickable i‐PP building block was applied to a renewed, modular synthesis of amphiphilic i‐PP‐b‐PCL (poly(ε‐caprolactone)) diblock copolymers. Composition‐diversified, structure‐well defined diblock copolymers were obtained in high yields, confirming both the high end group selectivity as well as high reactivity of azide the clickable moiety in the i‐PP building block and the effectiveness of azide‐alkyne click reaction in constructing new i‐PP architecture. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis,Characterization, and thermoresponsive properties of Helical Polypeptides Derivatized from Poly(γ−4‐(3‐chloropropoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐L‐glutamate)

A series of side‐chain‐functionalized α‐helical polypeptides, i.e., poly(γ‐4‐(3‐chloropropoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐_L‐glutamate) (6) have been prepared from n‐butylamine initiated ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of γ‐4‐(3‐chloropropoxycarbonyl)benzyl‐_L‐glutamic acid‐based N‐carboxyanhydride. Polypeptides bearing oligo‐ethylene‐glycol (OEG) groups or 1‐butylimidazolium salts were prepared from 6 via copper‐mediated [2+3] alkyne‐azide 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition or nuleophilic substitution, respectively. CD and FTIR analysis revealed that the polymers adopt α‐helical conformations both in solution and the solid state. Polymers bearing OEG (m = 3) side‐chains showed reversible LCST‐type phase transition behaviors in water while polymers bearing 1‐butylimidazolium and I^? counter‐anions exhibited reversible UCST‐type transitions in water. Variable‐temperature UV‐vis analysis revealed that the phase transition temperatures (T_pts) were dependent on the main‐chain length and polymeric concentration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2469–2480     

Pd‐SBT@MCM‐41: As an efficient,stable and recyclable organometallic catalyst for C‐C coupling reactions and synthesis of 5‐substituted tetrazoles

A palladium S‐benzylisothiourea complex was anchored on functionalized MCM‐41 (Pd‐SBT@MCM‐41) and applied as efficient and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of 5‐substituted 1H –tetrazoles using [2 + 3] cycloaddition reaction of various organic nitriles with sodium azide (NaN₃) in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as green solvent. Also this catalyst was applied as an versatile organometallic catalyst for Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction of aryl halides and phenylboronic acid (PhB(OH)₂) or sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaB(Ph)₄). This nanocatalyst was characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms techniques. Recovery of the catalyst is easily achieved by centrifugation for several consecutive runs.     

Anchoring of Cu(II)–vanillin Schiff base complex on MCM‐41: A highly efficient and recyclable catalyst for synthesis of sulfides and 5‐substituted 1H–tetrazoles and oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides

A copper(II)–vanillin complex was immobilized onto MCM‐41 nanostructure and was used as an inexpensive, non‐toxic and heterogeneous catalyst in the synthesis of symmetric aryl sulfides by the cross‐coupling of aromatic halides with S₈ as an effective sulfur source, in the oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides using 30% H₂O₂ as a green oxidant and in the synthesis of 5‐substituted 1H –tetrazoles from a smooth (3 + 2) cycloaddition of organic nitriles with sodium azide (NaN₃). The products were obtained in good to excellent yields. This catalyst could be reused several times without loss of activity. Characterization of the catalyst was performed using Fourier transform infrared, energy‐dispersive X‐ray and atomic absorption spectroscopies, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning and transmission electron microscopies.     

Stabilization of the Pentazolate Anion in Three Anhydrous and Metal‐Free Energetic Salts

According to previous reports, metal cations or water molecules are necessary for the stabilization of pentazolate anion (cyclo‐N₅^?) at ambient temperature and pressure. Seeking a new method to stabilize N₅^? is a big challenge. In this work, three anhydrous, metal‐free energetic salts based on cyclo‐N₅^? 3,9‐diamino‐6,7‐dihydro‐5 H‐bis([1,2,4]triazolo)[4,3‐e:3′,4′‐g][1,2,4,5] tetrazepine‐2,10‐diium, N‐carbamoylguanidinium, and oxalohydrazinium (oxahy⁺) pentazolate were synthesized and isolated. All salts were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, ¹H, ¹³C, and (in some cases) ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TGA and DSC), and single‐crystal XRD analysis. Computational studies associated with heats of formation and detonation performance were performed by using Gaussian 09 and Explo5 programs, respectively. The sensitivity of the salts towards impact and friction was determined, and overall the real N₅ explosives showed promising energetic properties.     

A Novel Synthesis of 1‐Aryl‐6‐bromo‐3‐(5‐ethylthio‐4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐b]quinolin‐9(4H)‐ones via Thermal Cyclization of 4‐Azidopyrazoles

2‐Aryl‐hydrazononitriles 3a , 3b , 3c were prepared by coupling 3‐ethylthio‐5‐cyanomethyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 1 ) with diazonium salts 2a , 2b , 2c . Reacting 3a , 3b , 3c with both ethyl bromoacetate ( 4a ) and 4‐bromobenzyl bromide ( 4b ) in DMF, in the presence of K₂CO₃, at 80 °C for 3–4 h, gave the corresponding 4‐amino‐pyrazoles 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 6e , 6f . Diazotization of 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 6e , 6f , followed by reaction with NaN₃, leads to the formation of 4‐azidopyrazoles 8a , 8b , 8c , 8d , 8e , 8f , a new heterocyclic ring system. Interestingly, fusion of 4‐azidopyrazoles 8d , 8e , 8f at temperature higher than their melting points with 5 °C for 2 min did not give the expected fused pyrazolo[4,3‐c]isoxazoles 9 but furnished instead the novel pyrazolo[4,3‐b]quinolinones 10a , 10b , 10c , in high yields.     

Molecular structures of 3‐[(2,2,3,3‐tetrafluoropropoxy)methyl]‐ and 3‐[(2,2,3,3,3‐pentafluoropropoxy)methyl]pyridinium saccharinates

The salts 3‐[(2,2,3,3‐tetrafluoropropoxy)methyl]pyridinium saccharinate, C₉H₁₀F₄NO⁺·C₇H₄NO₃S⁻, (1), and 3‐[(2,2,3,3,3‐pentafluoropropoxy)methyl]pyridinium saccharinate, C₉H₉F₅NO⁺·C₇H₄NO₃S⁻, (2), i.e. saccharinate (or 1,1‐dioxo‐1λ⁶,2‐benzothiazol‐3‐olate) salts of pyridinium with –CH₂OCH₂CF₂CF₂H and –CH₂OCH₂CF₂CF₃meta substituents, respectively, were investigated crystallographically in order to compare their fluorine‐related weak interactions in the solid state. Both salts demonstrate a stable synthon formed by the pyridinium cation and the saccharinate anion, in which a seven‐membered ring reveals a double hydrogen‐bonding pattern. The twist between the pyridinium plane and the saccharinate plane in (2) is 21.26 (8)° and that in (1) is 8.03 (6)°. Both salts also show stacks of alternating cation–anion π‐interactions. The layer distances, calculated from the centroid of the saccharinate plane to the neighbouring pyridinium planes, above and below, are 3.406 (2) and 3.517 (2) Å in (1), and 3.409 (3) and 3.458 (3) Å in (2).     

A novel two‐dimensional MnII coordination polymer with 1,2‐bis­(imidazol‐1‐yl)­ethane

In the crystal structure of the title complex, poly­[[di­azido­manganese(II)]‐di‐μ‐1,2‐bis­(imidazol‐1‐yl)­ethane‐κ⁴N³:N^3′], [Mn(N₃)₂(C₈H₁₀N₄)₂]_n or [Mn(N₃)₂(bim)₂]_n, where bim is 1,2‐­bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)­ethane, each Mn^II atom is six‐coordinated in a distorted octahedral coordination environment to four N atoms from four bim ligands and two N atoms from two azide ligands. The Mn^II atoms, which lie on inversion centres, are bridged by four bim ligands to form a two‐dimensional (4,4)‐network. The azide ligands are monodentate (terminal).