Topological analysis of the molecular charge density and impact sensitivy models of energetic molecules

Important explosives of practical use are composed of nitroaromatic molecules. In this work, we optimized geometries and calculated the electron density of 17 nitroaromatic molecules using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) method. From the DFT one-electron density matrix, we computed the molecular charge densities, thus the electron densities, which were then decomposed into electric multipoles located at the atomic sites of the molecules using the distributed multipole analysis (DMA). The multipoles, which have a direct chemical interpretation, were then used to analyze in details the ground state charge structure of the molecules and to seek for correlations between charge properties and sensitivity of the corresponding energetic material. The DMA multipole moments do not present large variations when the size of the Gaussian basis set is changed; the largest variations occurred in the range 10-15% for the dipole and quadrupole moments of oxygen atoms. The charges on the carbon atoms of the aromatic ring of each molecule become more positive when the number of nitro groups increases and saturate when there are five and six nitro groups. The magnitude and the direction of the dipole moments of the carbon atoms, indicators of site polarization, also depend on the nature of adjacent groups, with the largest dipole value being for C-H bonds. The total magnitude of the quadrupole moment of the aromatic ring carbon atoms indicates a decrease in the delocalized electron density due to an electron-withdrawing effect. Three models for sensitivity of the materials based on the DMA multipoles were proposed. Explosives with large delocalized electron densities in the aromatic ring of the component molecule, expressed by large quadrupole values on the ring carbon atoms, correspond to more insensitive materials. Furthermore, the charges on the nitro groups also influence the impact sensitivity.     

Accurate partial atomic charges for high-energy molecules using class IV charge models with the MIDI! basis set

We have recently developed a new class IV charge model for calculating partial atomic charges in molecules. The new model, called charge model 3 (CM3), was parameterized for calculations on molecules containing H, Li, C, N, O, F, Si, S, P, Cl, and Br by Hartree–Fock theory and by hybrid density functional theory (HDFT) based on the modified Perdew–Wang density functional with several basis sets. In the present article, we extend CM3 for calculating partial atomic charges by Hartree–Fock theory with the economical but well balanced MIDI! basis set. Then, using a test set of accurate dipole moments for molecules containing nitramine functional groups (which include many high-energy materials), we demonstrate the utility of several parameters designed to improve the charges in molecules containing both N and O atoms. We also show that one of our most recently developed CM3 models that is designed for use with wave functions calculated at the mPWXPW91/MIDI! level of theory (where X denotes a variable percentage of Hartree–Fock exchange) gives accurate charge distributions in nitramines without additional parameters for N and O. To demonstrate the reliability of partial atomic charges calculated with CM3, we use these atomic charges to calculate polarization free energies for several nitramines, including the commonly used explosives 1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine (RDX) and 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW), in nitromethane. These polarization energies are large and negative, indicating that electrostatic interactions between the charge distribution of the molecule and the solvent make a large contribution to the free energy of solvation of nitramines. By extension, the same conclusion should apply to solid-state condensation. Also, in contrast to some other charge models, CM3 yields atomic charges that are relatively insensitive to the presence of buried atoms and small conformational changes in the molecule, as well as to the level of treatment of electron correlation. This type of charge model should be useful in the future development of solvation models and force fields designed to estimate intramolecular interactions of nitramines in the condensed phase.     

Relationship between Electronic Charges at Nitrogen Atoms of Nitro Groups and Thermal Reactivity of Nitramines

Thermal reactivity of eleven nitramines has been examined by means of non-isothermal differential thermal analysis, and the data were analyzed according to the Kissinger method. The reactivity was expressed as the E _a R ⁻¹ slopes of the Kissinger relationship. Electronic charges, q ^N, at nitrogen atoms of the nitramine molecules were calculated by means of ab initio DFT B3LYP/6-31G** method. The relationships were confirmed between the slopes E _a R ⁻¹ and the q values for the nitro groups that are primarily split off. Conclusions are made in relation to the mechanism of initiation of polynitro compounds in general. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Contemplation on Detonation Pressures of Nitramines and ­Nitro Aromatics

A physical model and a mathematical theory for the detonation pressures of explosives materials were developed. The pressure values are expressed as function of the detonation velocity (D) and the average mass (m) of the gaseous products, and are applied for various nitramines and aromatic nitro compounds including nitro pyrimidines and nitro triazines. Some regression equations were obtained and discussed. The pressure values show poor linear dependence on the average mass of the products but good dependence on the detonation velocities alone or Dm. Moreover, for the same Dm value nitramines should produce more pressure than aromatic nitro compounds. This work deals with pressure developed by explosion products and interrelates it with detonation pressure within the constraints of certain assumptions and pays attention to so far unnoticed relationships at least under certain circumstances.     

Determination of nitro aromatic, nitramine, and nitrate ester explosive compounds in explosive mixtures and gunshot residue by liquid chromatography and reductive electrochemical detection

Reductive and oxidative electrochemical detection with liquid chromatography is applied to the determination of nitro aromatics, nitrate esters, nitramines, and diphenylamines in military explosives and single and double base smokeless gunpowders. A sensitive and highly selective method is presented for the detection of organic “gunshot residue” on the hand of individuals who have discharged a weapon. The detection limits at S/N = 3 are of the order of 0.5, 1, 2, and 0.3 picomol for nitro aromatic, nitramine and nitrate ester explosive compounds, and diphenylamines, respectively.     

3‐Nitramino‐4‐nitrofurazan: Enhancing the Stability and Energetic Properties by Introduction of Alkylnitramines

Nitration of 3‐amino‐4‐nitrofurazan with N₂O₅ yielded the corresponding nitramine. 3‐Nitramino‐4‐nitrofurazan is a very promising explosive regarding detonation performance but it suffers from its hygroscopicity, low thermal stability, and high sensitivity to external stimuli. The introduction of other nitramine groups either by alkylation with 1‐chloro‐2‐nitrazapropane or by combination of two 3‐nitramino‐4‐nitrofurazans yielded the corresponding more stable and non‐hygroscopic open‐chain nitramines. Their molecular structures were investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The remarkable difference of their impact sensitivities were evaluated by calculation of their electrostatic potential of the molecular surfaces. Furthermore, the detonation parameters and combustion parameters of the open‐chain nitramines were computed with the EXPLO5 (v. 6.02) computer code.     

含能材料的密度、爆速、爆压和静电感度的理论研究

用密度泛函理论(DFT) B3LYP方法, 在6-31G*基组水平下, 全优化计算了系列硝胺类和硝基芳烃类爆炸物的几何构型, 用Monte-Carlo方法和自编程序, 基于0.001 e•bohr^－3等电子密度面所包围的体积空间求得分子平均摩尔体积(V)和理论密度(ρ). 用Kamlet-Jacobs方程基于理论密度(ρ)和PM3计算生成焓(ΔH_f)估算标题物的爆速(D)和爆压(p), 发现多环硝胺类化合物的爆轰性能优于芳烃硝基类化合物, 故此, 在寻求高能量密度材料(HEDM)时, 我们应特别关注多环硝胺化合物. 与ρ和D文献值比较, 表明本理论计算方法和结果是适用可靠的. 将爆速(D)和爆压(p)计算值与静电感度实验值(E_ES)进行比较和关联, 发现: 若对化合物进行细致分类讨论, 则它们之间存在较好的线性关系. 据此建议, 在含能材料分子设计中, 可通过理论计算爆轰性质(D或p)去预估难以定量求得或尚未合成的含能材料的静电火花感度值(E_ES). 此外, 我们还讨论了取代基对ρ, D和p的影响, 也有助于分子设计.     

Energy transfer rates and impact sensitivities of two classes nitramine explosives molecules

Some explosives are stable molecules with large energy barriers to chemical reaction, and in shock or impact initiation, a sizable amount of phonon energy must be converted to the molecular internal higher vibrations by multiphonon up pumping. To investigate the relationship between impact sensitivities and energy transfer rates, the number of doorway modes of explosive molecules is estimated by a simple theory in which the rate is proportional to the number of normal mode vibrations. We evaluated frequencies of normal mode vibrations of 13 explosive molecules which are CHNO nitramine-contained and have not been analyzed previously. The number of doorway modes in the regions of 200–700 cm⁻¹ was evaluated by the direct counting method. For more clear investigation of the relationship we have classified these 13 nitramine explosive molecules, by the number of nitramine group they contained, into two groups. There are eight molecules that contained one nitramine group and five molecules that contained poly-nitramine groups. It is found that the number of doorway modes shows a linearly correlation to the impact sensitivities derived from drop hammer tests. This result is in agreement with that of several previous works. Besides, it is also noted in our study that in those nitramine explosives molecules with similar molecular structure (similar number nitramine group they contained) and similar molecular weight, the correlation between the sensitivity and the number of doorway modes is higher. We found that the vibrational frequency of ω corresponds to nitro group motions of every molecule is contributed to the number of doorway modes in the regions of 200–700 cm⁻¹.     

Correlation between Shock Sensitivity of Nitramine Energetic Compounds based on Small‐scale Gap Test and Their Electric Spark Sensitivity

Electric spark sensitivity and shock sensitivity based small‐scale gap test for nitramine energetic compounds are two important sensitivity parameters, which are needed for assessment of their safety in working places. A novel method is introduced for reliable prediction of electric spark or shock sensitivity of a desired nitramine energetic compound when reliable data for one of the sensitivity is available. A novel correlation with a high value of correlation coefficient (R² = 0.998) is derived between electric spark and shock sensitivities of 20 cyclic and acyclic nitramines. For these nitramines, the predicted results of electric spark sensitivities of the novel model are compared with two of the best available models. The root‐mean‐square (rms) and maximum deviations of the new model are 0.20 and 0.51 J, respectively, which are much less than two comparative methods. The reliability of the new method for prediction of electric spark sensitivity of further 14 nitramines is also compared with one of the best available methods, where the measured electric spark or shock sensitivities were not available in literature.     

Electron-impact fragmentation of some secondary aliphatic nitramines. Migration of the nitro group in heterocyclic nitramines

The mass spectra of a series of nitramines, including the explosives RDX and HMX, are reported. The nature of the major fragment ions is established by labeling with ¹⁵N or¹³C and by high resolution mass spectrometry. Electron-impact-induced fragmentation pathways including the migration of the nitro group in the heterocyclic nitramines, RDX and HMX, are postulated.     

Structure-kinetics relationships of thermodestruction of some framework nitramines

Thermal decomposition of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW, CL-20) and its oxa-analogs containing four and three nitramine fragments, in the gas phase and in solution predominantly follows the first order kinetics, whereas in the solid phase it proceeds with acceleration. Replacement of the two nitramine groups in the five-membered cycles of the molecule CL-20 by oxa groups practically does not affect the rate of decomposition of oxanitroderivatives in the solid phase. Substitution of the nitro group in one of oxa-nitroderivatives by R = H, NO, COCH₃, CH₂N(NO₂)CH₃ differently affects the rate of decomposition. For R = H the rate of decomposition increases; when R = COCH₃, CH₂N(NO₂)CH₃, it decreases; for R = NO, the rate of decomposition remains constant. For the studied compounds the activation parameters of thermal decomposition are determined in the solution, the gas phase, and the solid phase. In general, the reactivity of nitramines depends on the length of the weakest bond N-NO₂, which is affected by the conformation of the nitro group.     

New Correlation between Electric Spark and Impact Sensitivities of Nitramine Energetic Compounds for Assessment of Their Safety

Electric spark and impact sensitivities of nitramine energetic compounds are two important sensitivity parameters, which are closely related to many accidents in working places. For nitramines, in contrast to electric spark sensitivity, their impact sensitivity can be easily measured or predicted by various methods. A new approach is introduced to correlate electric spark and impact sensitivities of nitramine energetic compounds by the use of three structural parameters. The predicted results of the novel model for 20 nitramines are compared with two of the best available models, which are based on complex quantum mechanical approach and the measured values of activation energies of thermolysis. The root‐mean‐square (rms) and maximum deviations of the new model are 1.06 and 2.41 J, respectively. For further 14 nitramines, where the measured electric spark or impact sensitivities were not available, the estimated electric spark sensitivities by the new model are close to those predicted based on experimental data of activation energies of thermolysis.     

Relationship between Activation Energy of Thermolysis and Friction Sensitivity of Cyclic and Acyclic Nitramines

The knowledge of sensitiveness of an energetic compound to friction stimuli is important to ensure the safety of people and protection of property during shipment. The information on sensitivity to friction is considered very valuable for nitramines, which show relatively higher sensitivity with respect to the other classes of secondary explosives. This study presents a novel general simple model for prediction of the relationship between friction sensitivity and activation energy of thermolysis of cyclic and acyclic nitramines on the basis of their molecular structures. This methodology assumes that friction sensitivity of an energetic compound with general formula C_aH_bN_cO_d can be expressed as a function of activation energy of thermolysis and the contribution of specific molecular structural parameters. For 21 nitramines with different molecular structures, the new correlation has the root mean square and the average standard deviations of 14.2 and 17.8 N, respectively, as compared to experimental values. The proposed new method is also tested for further 8 nitramines containing complex molecular structures, which gives good predictions.     

How to find an optimum cluster size through topological site properties: MoSxmodel clusters

Computational investigations in catalysis frequently use model clusters to represent realistically the catalyst and its reaction sites. Detailed knowledge of the molecular charge, thus electronic density, of a cluster would then allow physical and chemical insights of properties and can provide a procedure to establish their optimum size for catalyst studies. For this purpose, an approach is suggested to study model clusters based on the distributed multipole analysis (DMA) of molecular charge properties. After full density functional theory (DFT) geometry optimization of each cluster, DMA computed from the converged DFT one‐electron density matrix allowed the partition of the corresponding cluster charge distribution into monopole, dipole, and quadrupole moments on the atomic sites. The procedure was applied to MoS₂ model clusters Mo₁₀S₁₈, Mo₁₂S₂₆, Mo₁₆S₃₂, Mo₂₃S₄₈, and Mo₂₇S₅₄. This analysis provided detailed features of the charge distribution of each cluster, focused on the 101 0 (Mo or metallic edge) and 1 010 (sulfur edge) active planes. Properties of the Mo₂₇S₅₄ cluster, including the formation of HDS active surfaces, were extensively discussed. The effect of cluster size on the site charge distribution properties of both planes was evaluated. The results showed that the Mo₁₆S₃₂ cluster can adequately model both active planes of real size Mo₂₇S₅₄. These results can guide future computational studies of MoS₂ catalytic processes. Furthermore, this approach is of general applicability. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011     

A theoretical charge density study on nitrogen-rich 4,4′,5,5′-tetranitro-2,2′-bi-1H-imidazole (TNBI) energetic molecule

The bond topological and electrostatic properties of nitrogen-rich 4,4′,5,5′-tetranitro-2,2′-bi-1H-imidazole (TNBI) energetic molecule have been calculated from the DFT method with the basis set 6-311G** and the AIM theory. The optimized geometry of this molecule is almost matched with the experimental geometric parameters. The electron density at the bond critical point and the Laplacian of electron density of C–NO₂ bonds are not equal, one of them is much weaker than the other. Similar trend exists in the C–N bonds of the imidazole ring of the molecule. The ratio of the bond dissociation energy (BDE) of the weakest bond to the molecular total energy exhibits nearly a linear correlation with the impact sensitivity; its h ₅₀% value is ~32.01 cm. The electrostatic potential around both the nitro groups are found unequal; the NO₂ group of weakest C–NO₂ bond exhibits an extended electronegative region.     

Design and properties prediction of modified CL-20 energetic derivatives

We designed a series of energetic compounds based on the CL-20 molecular skeleton, and the properties including molecular geometric structures, electronic structures, density, heat of formation, detonation performances, and impact sensitivity were evaluated using density functional theory (DFT). The results indicate that five molecules have higher density values than that of Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX; 1.91 g/cm³) and A4 has a larger density value (2.07 g/cm³) than that of CL-20 (2.04 g/cm³). In addition, most of the molecules have better detonation performances and stability than those of CL-20, with A4 showing much greater detonation velocity (9.93 km/s) and pressure (47.32 GPa) than those of CL-20 with a h₅₀ value of 14.02 cm. Taking both excellent detonation performance and low sensitivity into consideration, all seven compounds except for A3 and A5 are considered as potential energetic compounds. These theoretically calculated results would be conducive to the design and synthesis of novel nitramine energetic compounds.     

Bond dissociation energies in nitramines

The enthalpies of formation in the standard state and in the gas phase were recommended for a series of secondary nitramines and n-butyldinitramine on the basis of the experimental enthalpies of combustion and vaporization and literature data. An analysis of the main thermochemical values (the enthalpies of formation in the gas phase and the enthalpies of atomization) showed that the energy properties of the nitramine group are independent of the structure of the molecules studied and of the number of functional groups in them. The enthalpies of formation of the alkylnitramine radicals were determined. The values obtained make it possible to calculate the bond dissociation energies in the nitramines and their radicals of different structures.     

A multipole approximation of the electrostatic potential of molecules

The problem of approximating three-dimensional spatial distributions of quantum-mechanical electrostatic potentials of molecules by analytic potentials on the basis of atomic charges, real dipoles, and atomic multipoles up to quadrupoles inclusive was considered. Real dipole potentials are created by pairs of point charges of opposite signs, and the search for their arrangement in the volume of a molecule is part of the approximation problem. A FitMEP program was developed for the optimization of the parameters of models of the types specified taking into account molecular symmetry. It was shown for the example of several molecules (HF, CO, H₂O, NH₃, CH₄, formaldehyde, methanol, formamide, ethane, cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclohexane, tetrahedrane, cubane, adamantane, ethylene, and benzene) that the real dipole and atomic multipole models gave errors in approximated quantum-mechanical electrostatic potential values smaller by one or two orders of magnitude compared with the atomic charge model. The atomic charge model was shown to be virtually inoperative as applied to saturated hydrocarbons. Real dipole models were slightly inferior to atomic multipole models in quality but had all the advantages of the potential of point charges as concerned simplicity and compactness, and their use in potential energy calculations did not require changes in the existing program codes.     

Optimisation of post-column reaction detector for HPLC of explosives

Summary Improvements in selectivity and sensitivity in the analysis of common explosives, like nitrate esters, nitramines and nitroaromatic compounds can be achieved by post-column derivatisation in a two step reaction detector. The first step in derivatisation is the photolysis of the analytes with UV at 254 nm. The photo reactor consists of a crocheted 20 m Tefzel capillary, which is coiled around a low pressure mercury lamp. In second step the nitrite ion generated is subsequently detected by a colourimetric reaction. The azo dye formed can be selectively detected at 540 nm.Addition of alkali after chromatographic separation to prevent oxidation of initially formed nitrite to nitrate during photolysis leads to a complex multistage arrangement. However, the contribution to peak broadening by the reactor is negligible and it is possible to detect 25–50 ppb of nitramines and 30–100 ppb of nitrate esters. Another advantage of the method is the selective detection of nitro compounds, even in complex matrices.The trace analysis of explosives is of growing interest in forensic science as well as in environmental analysis. It has been shown [1] that explosives can easily be extracted from soil and debris by the use of supercritical carbon dioxide. The separation and determination of explosives by gas chromatography is hindered by their thermal instability. In HPLC only the nitro aromatic explosives can be detected with sufficient sensitivity. Other types of explosives like the esters of nitric acid or nitramines do not absorb sufficiently in the UV region for sensitive detection. It has been shown [2] that explosives are liable to photochemical decomposition in the UV region, resulting in nitrate and nitrite, which have been detected after separation by ion-pair chromatography with electrochemical detection. A more sensitive and selective detection of nitrite has been possible in flow injection analysis [3]. Here a modified Griess reaction has been used. In a first step nitrite ions are used to form the diazonium salt with sulfanilamide which is coupled in a second step with N-[naphthyl-(1)]-ethylene diamine (NED) to form a redviolet azo dye with an absorption maximum at 540 nm. The advantage of this method is selective detection in the visible region, where hardly any other organic components are detected, which might be present in a crude environmental sample.In this paper the transfer of the Griess reaction to post-column derivatisation in RP chromatography of explosives will be described, and the optimisation of trace analysis of these solutes will be discussed.