Furazan‐Functionalized Tetrazolate‐Based Salts: A New Family of Insensitive Energetic Materials

Insensitive energetic salts : A series of furazan‐functionalized tetrazolate‐based energetic salts (see figure) were synthesized and characterized. All of the salts exhibit excellent thermal stabilities and high positive heats of formation.

     

Energetic Ethylene‐ and Propylene‐Bridged Bis(nitroiminotetrazolate) Salts

High energy density materials with ethylene‐ and propylene bis(5‐nitroiminotetrazolate) as the anions are reported; all salts were fully characterized by IR, and ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy as well as elemental analyses. In addition, the heats of formation (ΔH_f) and the detonation pressures (P) and velocities (D) were calculated.

     

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.     

Tetraanionic Nitrogen‐Rich Tetrazole‐Based Energetic Salts

1,1,3,3‐Tetra(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)propane‐based energetic salts were synthesized in a simple and straightforward manner. The structures of these new salts were determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, MS, and elemental analysis. All of these compounds showed good thermal stabilities above 180 °C, as confirmed by thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA) measurements. Moreover, these salts also exhibited high positive enthalpies of formation, high nitrogen content, good thermal stabilities, and moderate detonation properties.     

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.     

Bis(4‐nitraminofurazanyl‐3‐azoxy)azofurazan and Derivatives: 1,2,5‐Oxadiazole Structures and High‐Performance Energetic Materials

Bis(4‐nitraminofurazanyl‐3‐azoxy)azofurazan ( 1 ) and ten of its energetic salts were prepared and fully characterized. Computational analysis based on isochemical shielding surface and trigger bond dissociation enthalpy provide a better understanding of the thermal stabilities for nitramine‐furazans. These energetic compounds exhibit good densities, high heats of formation, and excellent detonation velocity and pressure. Some representative compounds, for example, 1 (v_D: 9541 m s^?1; P: 40.5 GPa), and 4 (v_D: 9256 m s^?1; P: 38.0 GPa) exhibit excellent detonation performances, which are comparable with current high explosives such as RDX (v_D: 8724 m s^?1; P: 35.2 GPa) and HMX (v_D: 9059 m s^?1; P: 39.2 GPa).     

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).     

The synthesis of di(aminoguanidine) 5-nitroiminotetrazolate: some diprotic or monoprotic acids as precursors of energetic salts

Syntheses of salts with 4,6-bis(nitroimino)-1,3,5-triazinan-2-one (DNAM), 3,5-dinitro-1,2,4-cyclopentanetrione (DDCP), 3-nitroiminotriazolate, and 5-nitroiminotetrazolate as anions yielded moderately dense nitro-containing energetic salts that are thermally stable to >200 degrees C (measured by thermogravimetric analysis). Di(aminoguanidine) 5-nitroiminotetrazolate (8) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with an essentially planar 5-nitroiminotetrazolate dianion. Based on experimental and calculated densities, and theoretical calculations carried out by using the Gaussian 03 suite of programs, all of the salts have calculated detonation pressures and velocities that exceed those of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and a few have values that approach those of triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB).     

Energetic 2,2‐Dimethyltriazanium Salts: A New Family of Nitrogen‐Rich Hydrazine Derivatives

Amination of 1,1‐dimethylhydrazine with NH₂Cl or hydroxylamine‐O‐sulfonic acid yields 2,2‐dimethyltriazanium (DMTZ) chloride ( 3 ) and sulphate ( 4 ), respectively. The DMTZ cation was paired with the nitrogen‐rich anions 5‐aminotetrazolate ( 5 ), 5‐nitrotetrazolate ( 6 ), 5,5′‐azobistetrazolate ( 7 ), and azide ( 8 ), yielding a new family of energetic salts. The synthesis was carried out by metathesis reactions of salts 3 or 4 and a suitable silver or barium salt. To minimize the risks involved when using heavy metal salts, we used electrodialysis for the synthesis of azide 8 , which avoids the use of highly sensitive species. The DMTZ derivatives were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X‐ray diffraction. Thermal stabilities were measured using DSC analysis and their sensitivities towards classical stimuli were determined using standard tests. Lastly, the relationship between hydrogen bonding in the solid state and sensitivity is discussed.     

Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions and Properties of Energetic Nitroamino[1,3,5]triazine‐Based Guanidinium Salts: DFT‐D and QTAIM Studies

The intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions and properties of a series of nitroamino[1,3,5]triazine‐based guanidinium salts were studied by using the dispersion‐corrected density functional theory method (DFT‐D). Results show that there are evident LP(N or O; LP=lone pair)→σ*(N? H) orbital interactions related to O???H? N or N???H? N hydrogen bonds. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) was applied to characterize the intramolecular hydrogen bonds. For the guanidinium salts studied, the intramolecular hydrogen bonds are associated with a seven‐ or eight‐membered pseudo‐ring. The guanylurea cation is more helpful for improving the thermal stabilities of the ionic salts than other guanidinium cations. The contributions of different substituents on the triazine ring to the thermal stability increase in the order of ? NO₂23 (? ONO₂)2. Energy decomposition analysis shows that the salts are stable owing to electrostatic and orbital interactions between the ions, whereas the dispersion energy has very small contributions. Moreover, the salts exhibit relatively high densities in the range of 1.62–1.89 g cm^?3. The detonation velocities and pressures lie in the range of 6.49–8.85 km s^?1 and 17.79–35.59 GPa, respectively, which makes most of them promising explosives.     

Thermodynamic and ab initio analysis of the controversial enthalpy of formation of formaldehyde.

There are two values, -26.0 and -27.7 kcal mol(-1), that are routinely reported in literature evaluations for the standard enthalpy of formation, Delta(f) H(o)(298), of formaldehyde (CH(2)=O), where error limits are less than the difference in values. In this study, we summarize the reported literature for formaldehyde enthalpy values based on evaluated measurements and on computational studies. Using experimental reaction enthalpies for a series of reactions involving formaldehyde, in conjunction with known enthalpies of formation, its enthalpy is determined to be -26.05+/-0.42 kcal mol(-1), which we believe is the most accurate enthalpy currently available. For the same reaction series, the reaction enthalpies are evaluated using six computational methods: CBS-Q, CBS-Q//B3, CBS-APNO, G2, G3, and G3B3 yield Delta(f) H(o)(298)=-25.90+/-1.17 kcal mol(-1), which is in good agreement to our experimentally derived result. Furthermore, the computational chemistry methods G3, G3MP2B3, CCSD/6-311+G(2df,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d), CCSD(T)/6-311+G(2df,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d), and CBS-APNO in conjunction with isodesmic and homodesmic reactions are used to determine Delta(f) H(o)(298). Results from a series of five work reactions at the higher levels of calculation are -26.30+/-0.39 kcal mol(-1) with G3, -26.45+/-0.38 kcal mol(-1) with G3MP2B3, -26.09+/-0.37 kcal mol(-1) with CBS-APNO, -26.19+/-0.48 kcal mol(-1) with CCSD, and -26.16+/-0.58 kcal mol(-1) with CCSD(T). Results from heat of atomization calculations using seven accurate ab initio methods yields an enthalpy value of -26.82+/-0.99 kcal mol(-1). The results using isodesmic reactions are found to give enthalpies more accurate than both other computational approaches and are of similar accuracy to atomization enthalpy calculations derived from computationally intensive W1 and CBS-APNO methods. Overall, our most accurate calculations provide an enthalpy of formation in the range of -26.2 to -26.7 kcal mol(-1), which is within computational error of the suggested experimental value. The relative merits of each of the three computational methods are discussed and depend upon the accuracy of experimental enthalpies of formation required in the calculations and the importance of systematic computational errors in the work reaction. Our results also calculate Delta(f) H(o)(298) for the formyl anion (HCO(-)) as 1.28+/-0.43 kcal mol(-1).     

Ammonia–(Dinitramido)boranes: High‐Energy‐Density Materials

Two ammonia–(dinitramido)boranes were synthesized by the reaction of dinitroamine with ammonia–borane. These compounds are the first reported examples of (dinitramido)boranes. Ammonia–mono(dinitramido)borane is a perfectly oxygen‐balanced high‐energy‐density material (HEDM) composed of an ammonia–BH₂ fuel group and a strongly oxidizing dinitramido ligand. Although it is thermally not stable enough for practical applications, its predicted specific impulse as a solid rocket propellant would be 333 s. Its predicted performance as an explosive matches that of pentaerythtritol tetranitrate (PETN) and significantly exceeds that of trinitrotoluene (TNT). Its structure was established by X‐ray crystallography and vibrational and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, the over‐oxidized ammoniabis(dinitramido)borane was detected by NMR spectroscopy.     

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.     

Energetic Salts Based on Tetrazole N‐Oxide

Energetic materials (explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics) are used extensively for both civilian and military applications and the development of such materials, particularly in the case of energetic salts, is subject to continuous research efforts all over the world. This Review concerns recent advances in the syntheses, properties, and potential applications of ionic salts based on tetrazole N‐oxide. Most of these salts exhibit excellent characteristics and can be classified as a new family of highly energetic materials with increased density and performance, alongside decreased mechanical sensitivity. Additionally, novel tetrazole N‐oxide salts are proposed based on a diverse array of functional groups and ions pairs, which may be promising candidates for new energetic materials.     

Energetic N‐Trinitroethyl‐Substituted Mono‐, Di‐, and Triaminotetrazoles

A series of dense energetic N‐trinitroethyl‐substituted mono‐, bis‐, and tri‐5‐aminotetrazoles were obtained by reacting primary amines with in situ generated cyanogen azide, followed by the trinitroethyl functionalization that involves a condensation of a hydroxymethyl intermediate (prepared by a reaction with formaldehyde) with trinitromethane. These compounds were fully characterized by using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and, in one case with 9 , with single‐crystal XRD analysis. 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, most of them exhibited high density, good thermal stability, acceptable oxygen balance, positive heat of formation, low impact sensitivity, and excellent detonation properties, which highlighted their practical application potentials as a fascinating class of highly energetic materials.     

Synthesis and Promising Properties of a New Family of High‐Nitrogen Compounds: Polyazido‐ and Polyamino‐Substituted N,N′‐Azo‐1,2,4‐triazoles

A new family of high‐nitrogen compounds, that is, polyazido‐ and polyamino‐substituted N,N′‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazoles, were synthesized in a safe and convenient manner and fully characterized. The structures of 3,3′,5,5′‐tetra(azido)‐4,4′‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 15 ) and 3,3′,5,5′‐tetra(amino)‐4,4′‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 23 ) were also confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to determine their thermal stability. Their heats of formation and density, which were calculated by using Gaussian 03, were used to determine the detonation performances of the related compounds (EXPLO 5.05). The heats of formation of the polyazido compounds were also derived by using an additive method. Compound 15 has the highest heat of formation (6933 kJ kg^?1) reported so far for energetic compounds and a detonation performance that is comparable to that of octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine (HMX), while compound 23 has a decomposition temperature of up to 290 °C.     

Energetic bicyclic azolium salts

Bicyclic azoles, 2-methyl-5-(imidazol-1-yl)-2H-tetrazole (1), 2-methyl-5-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2H-tetrazole (4), 1-methyl-5-(imidazol-1-yl)-1H-tetrazole (7), 1-methyl-5-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-1H-tetrazole (10), 1-methyl-4-nitro-2-(imidazol-1-yl)-1H-imidazole (13), and 1-methyl-4-nitro-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-1H-imidazole (16) were prepared. Their thermally stable azolium salts, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18-21, with densities ranging between 1.519-1.674 g cm-3, were synthesized by quaternization with nitric or perchloric acid or with iodomethane followed by metathesis reactions with silver nitrate and silver perchlorate. The structures of 12 b and 21 b were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The standard enthalpies of formation for some of the new salts were calculated by using the computationally feasible DFT(B3LYP) and MP2 methods in conjunction with an empirical approach based on densities of salts. The calculated values range from DeltaHdegreef=209.9 (21 a) to 412.3 (12 b) kJ mol-1 in which the experimental densities are >1.515 g cm-3.