A link between impact sensitivity of energetic compounds and their activation energies of thermal decomposition

A new relationship is introduced between impact sensitivity of energetic compounds and their activation energies of thermal decomposition. In this relationship, the impact sensitivity of an energetic compound with general formula C_aH_bN_cO_d is a function of its activation energy of thermal decomposition as well as the ratio of \( \left( {\frac{{n_{\text{H}} }}{{n_{\text{O}} }}} \right) \) and the contribution of specific molecular structural parameters. The new correlation can help us to elucidate the mechanism of initiation of energetic materials by impact. It can be used to predict the magnitude of impact sensitivity of new energetic materials. The new correlation has the root mean square and the average deviations of 2.22 and 1.79 J, respectively, for 40 energetic compounds with different molecular structures. The proposed new method is also tested for 11 energetic compounds, which have complex molecular structures, e.g., 4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diazaisowurtzitane and 1,3,7,9-tetranitrophenoxazine.     

Validation of improved simple method for prediction of activation energy of the thermal decomposition of energetic compounds

This study presents a new simple model for predicting activation energy of the thermolysis of various classes of energetic compounds. The new model can help to elucidate the cause of thermal stability and, therefore, shelf life of some energetic compounds. The methodology assumes that activation energy of an energetic compound with general formula C _a H _b N _c O _d can be expressed as a function of optimized elemental composition as well as the contribution of specific molecular structural parameters. The new correlation has the root mean square and the average deviations of 9.8 and 7.4 kJ mol^?1, respectively, for 86 energetic compounds with different molecular structures. The proposed new method is also tested for 20 energetic compounds, which have complex molecular structures, e.g. 4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diazaisowurtzitane, 2,4,6-tris(2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl)-1,3,5-triazine and 1-(2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl)-5,7-dinitrobenzotriazole.     

A simple accurate model for prediction of deflagration temperature of energetic compounds

A novel general method is introduced to predict deflagration temperature of organic energetic compounds containing at least –NNO₂, –ONO₂, or –CNO₂ groups. Deflagration temperature is an important safety parameter in working with dangerous energetic compounds and their environmental problems. It is shown that the contribution of some molecular structure parameters can be used to interpret thermal decomposition of an energetic compound. For 86 energetic materials (corresponding to 102 measured values) with different molecular structures, the new correlation has the root mean square (rms) and the average deviations of 23.8 and 19.0 K, respectively. The new method is also tested for some energetic compounds with complex molecular structures, e.g., two new organic energetic molecules N,N′-bis(1,2,4-triazol-3yl)-4,4′-diamino-2,2′,3,3′,5,5′,6,6′-octanitroazobenzene (BTDAONAB) and 2,4,6-trinitrophloroglucinol.     

Relation between Electric Spark Sensitivity and Impact Sensitivity of Nitroaromatic Energetic Compounds

Impact and electric spark sensitivities of energetic compounds are two important sensitivity parameters, which are closely related to many accidents in working places. In contrast to electric spark sensitivity, impact sensitivity can be easily measured. A new simple method is introduced to correlate electric spark and impact sensitivities of nitroaromatic compounds. Two correcting functions are used to consider several molecular moieties for reliable prediction of electric spark sensitivity through the measured or estimated impact sensitivity of nitroaromatics. The model is optimized using a set of 28 CHNO polynitroaromatic explosives and then it is tested for some nitroaromatics containing the other atoms such as sulfur. The predicted electric sensitivities of the new method are also compared with the reported results of a new quantum mechanical approach. For 22 CHNO nitroaromatics, quantum mechanical calculations are within ±3.0 J of 18 measured values and more than ±3.0 J for remaining 4 experimental data. Meanwhile, the predicted results of the method are less than ±3.0 J for 28 CHNO nitroaromatics. The root‐mean‐square (rms) deviations of the new model and quantum mechanical are also 1.55 and 2.51 J, respectively.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Synthesis and study of new phenolic antioxidants with nitroaromatic and heterocyclic substituents

New polyfunctional aromatic, nitroaromatic, and heterocyclic compounds linked to the 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol moiety via –NH–, –C(O)NH–, –S–, or–C=N– spacers were synthesized. These structures provide intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and exhibit antioxidant activity. The structures of the new compounds were established by X-ray diffraction. The novel compounds were evaluated for antioxidant activity using the DPPH assay. The presence of the 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl moiety in combination with the –NH– spacer leads to a considerable increase in the antioxidant activity of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenols. These compounds are also weak lipoxygenase inhibitors. The results of this study provide an opportunity to search for new types of antioxidants with ICT.     

Computational Design of High Energy RDX-Based Derivatives: Property Prediction,Intermolecular Interactions,and Decomposition Mechanisms

A series of new high-energy insensitive compounds were designed based on 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX) skeleton through incorporating -N(NO₂)-CH₂-N(NO₂)-, -N(NH₂)-, -N(NO₂)-, and -O- linkages. Then, their electronic structures, heats of formation, detonation properties, and impact sensitivities were analyzed and predicted using DFT. The types of intermolecular interactions between their bimolecular assemble were analyzed. The thermal decomposition of one compound with excellent performance was studied through ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. All the designed compounds exhibit excellent detonation properties superior to 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20), and lower impact sensitivity than CL-20. Thus, they may be viewed as promising candidates for high energy density compounds. Overall, our design strategy that the construction of bicyclic or cage compounds based on the RDX framework through incorporating the intermolecular linkages is very beneficial for developing novel energetic compounds with excellent detonation performance and low sensitivity.     

Theoretical calculation of nitro-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-1H-azoles energetic compounds

In order to study the properties of new energetic compounds formed by introducing nitroazoles into 2,4,6-trinitrobezene, the density, heat of formation and detonation properties of 36 nitro-1-(2,4,6-trinitrobenzene)-1H-azoles energetic compounds are studied by density functional theory, and their stability and melting point are predicted. The results show that most of target compounds have good detonation properties and stability. And it is found that nitro-1-(2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl)-1H-pyrrole compounds and nitro-1-(2,4,6-trinitrop-enyl)-1H-Imidazole compounds have good thermal stability, and their weakest bond is C NO₂ bond, the bond dissociation energy of the weakest bond is 222–238 kJ mol⁻¹ and close to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (235 kJ mol⁻¹). The weakest bond of the other compounds may be the C NO₂ bond or the N N bond, and the strength of the N N bond is related to the nitro group on azole ring.     

Chemistry and thermal decomposition of trinitropyrazoles

New energetic compounds-3,4,5-1H-trinitropyrazole (TNP), 1-methyl-3,4,5-1H-trinitropyrazole (MTNP) and ammonium 3,4,5-1H-TNP have been synthesized and characterized by thermal analysis. These new compounds can be considered as promising since the high heat of formation for them. To estimate the process of their thermal decomposition, the original technique for computer simulation was used. We generated the models for the mechanisms of thermal decay of synthesized compounds which allowed obtaining comprehensive spectrum of transformations of intermediates on the way to the final products of thermolysis. The preferred pathways were determined based on the results of activation energy (E _a) calculations (DFT 6-311⁺⁺G** method) of thermal decay reactions for each generated pathways. The thermal decomposition has been studied also experimentally by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry. Kinetic parameters of thermolysis were evaluated by model-free and -fitting methods using TG data. Model-free method has given not reliable data for TNP and MTNP compounds, whereas model-fitting yields kinetic equations with the good correlation with experimental TG data.     

Reliable Prediction of Shock Sensitivity of Energetic Compounds based on Small‐scale Gap Test through Their Electric Spark Sensitivity

The sensitivity of an energetic compound gives its vulnerability to accidental detonation, which is caused by an unintended stimulus. Shock and electric spark sensitivities of energetic compounds are two important sensitivity parameters for assessment of their safety in working places. Several correlations are introduced for reliable prediction of shock sensitivities of energetic compounds at 90, 95, and 98 % of theoretical maximum density (TMD) according to NSWC using Navy small‐scale gap test through their electric spark sensitivities. For 11 explosives, where experimental data of both shock and electric spark sensitivities were available, the predicted results at 90 % of TMD are compared with the quantum mechanical approach. The root‐mean‐square (rms) deviations of the new and complex quantum mechanical methods at 90 % TMD are 2.38 and 3.95 kbar, respectively, which confirmed the high reliability of the new method. For high explosives with 90, 95, and 98 % TMD, it will be shown that the predicted results of the new method are also much more reliable than one of the best available empirical approaches. A correlation between shock sensitivities on the basis of aluminum gaps with different thicknesses and the pressure required to initiate material pressed to 90 % TMD is also derived.     

Prediction of toxicity of nitroaromatic compounds through their molecular structures

In this paper, a new simple method is presented for the estimation of the toxicity of nitroaromatic compounds including some well-known explosives. This method can predict the 50% lethal dose concentration for rats (LD ₅₀) as the estimation of toxicity in vivo. The prediction of LD ₅₀ of nitroaromatics through a new general correlation is based on the number of alkyl and nitro groups per molecular weight of the nitroaromatic compound as a core function. The existence of some specific structural parameters can decrease or increase the predicted results on the basis of the core function. The predicted results of various nitroaromatic compounds afford reliable prediction of LD ₅₀ with respect to experimental data. Prediction of toxicity for 28 nitroaromatic compounds, where the experimental data were available, and new nitroaromatic derivatives produce comparable results to those of several models of Quantitative Structure Activity Relation (QSAR).     

A new simple approach to predict entropy of fusion of nitroaromatic compounds

In this paper, a new model is introduced to predict entropy of fusion of nitroaromatic compounds, which can be used for some well-known high explosives such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and N-methyl-N,2,4,6-tetranitroaniline (TETRYL). Novel correlation contains two different functions for which elemental composition and symmetry of nitroaromatic compounds are used to present additive and non-additive contributions, respectively. The presence of some molecular fragments may influence the value of non-additive function. The root-mean-square (rms) deviation of predictions of entropy of fusion from 66 measured values (corresponding to 61 molecules) is 7.88 J/K mol. The predicted results are compared with one of the best available semi-empirical methods, which show the reliability of the new method is relatively good.     

Preparation,characterization and compatibility studies of poly(DFAMO/AMMO)

Poly(3-difluoroaminomethyl-3-methyl oxetane (DFAMO)/3-azidomethyl-3-methyl oxetane (AMMO)) (PDA) can be used as an energetic pre-polymer in the binder systems of solid propellants and polymer-bonded explosives (PBXs). The cationic solution polymerization affords PDA using butane diol (BDO) and boron trifluride etherate (TFBE) as initiator and catalyst, separately. Its molecular structure is characterized and thermal decomposition behavior is investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The copolymer has good thermal stability and exhibits a three-step mass-loss process with the first two steps mainly belonging to the thermal decomposition of difluoroamino and azido groups, respectively. DSC method is performed to evaluate the compatibility of PDA with some energetic components and inert materials. More than half of the selected materials are compatible with PDA, which including cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), ammonium perchlorate (AP), ammonium nitrate (AN), potassium nitrate (KNO₃), aluminum powder (Al), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), 2-nitrodiphenylamine (NDPA) and 1,3-diethyl-1,3-diphenyl urea (C₁).     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Thermal Properties of Energetic Semicarbazide Salt,Manganese(II) Salt,and Coordination Compound of 3,5‐Dinitrobenzoic Acid

Nitro compounds have been actively researched as driven by their potential to be high‐performing energetic materials. Herein, three new nitro compounds including semicarbazide 3,5‐dinitrobenzoate, (SCZ)(DNBA), manganese 3,5‐dinitrobenzoate dihydrate, [Mn(DNBA)₂(H₂O)₂]_n, and bis(semicarbazide) manganese(II) 3,5‐dinitrobenzoate, Mn(SCZ)₂(DNBA)₂, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The results indicated that the above mentioned compounds are ionic, polymeric, and molecular in nature, respectively. Moreover, their thermal decomposition properties were assessed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Their non‐isothermal reaction kinetics parameters, critical temperature of thermal explosion (T_bp), entropy of activation (ΔS^≠), enthalpy of activation (ΔH^≠), and free energy of activation (ΔG^≠) of the exothermic decomposition process were also calculated. Results suggest that there was a relationship between the structure and thermal stability.     

Trigger bond analysis of nitroaromatic energetic materials using wiberg bond indices

The identification of trigger bonds, bonds that break to initiate explosive decomposition, using computational methods could help direct the development of novel, “green” and efficient high energy density materials (HEDMs). Comparing bond densities in energetic materials to reference molecules using Wiberg bond indices (WBIs) provides a relative scale for bond activation (%ΔWBIs) to assign trigger bonds in a set of 63 nitroaromatic conventional energetic molecules. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions enhance contributions of resonance structures that strengthen, or deactivate, the C NO₂ trigger bonds and reduce the sensitivity of nitroaniline‐based HEDMs. In contrast, unidirectional hydrogen bonding in nitrophenols strengthens the bond to the hydrogen bond acceptor, but the phenol lone pairs repel and activate an adjacent nitro group. Steric effects, electron withdrawing groups and greater nitro dihedral angles also activate the C NO₂ trigger bonds. %ΔWBIs indicate that nitro groups within an energetic molecule are not all necessarily equally activated to contribute to initiation. %ΔWBIs generally correlate well with impact sensitivity, especially for HEDMs with intramolecular hydrogen bonding, and are a better measure of trigger bond strength than bond dissociation energies (BDEs). However, the method is less effective for HEDMs with significant secondary effects in the solid state. Assignment of trigger bonds using %ΔWBIs could contribute to understanding the effect of intramolecular interactions on energetic properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Non-isothermal kinetic studies on thermal decomposition of energetic materials

Thermal stability and decomposition kinetics for two energetic materials, potassium nitroform (KNF) and 5-Nitro-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (NTO), were investigated to obtain information on their safety for handling, storage, and use. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and simultaneous thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) techniques have been used to study thermal behavior of these energetic compounds. The results of TG analysis revealed that the main thermal degradation for the KNF occurs during two temperature ranges of 270?C330 and 360?C430?°C. Meanwhile, NTO decomposes completely in temperature range of 250?C300 °C. TG-DTA analysis of KNF indicates that this energetic compound dehydrated (at about 108?°C) before its decomposition. However, NTO is thermally stable until its decomposition. The decomposition kinetic of energetic materials was studied by non-isothermal DSC under various heating rates. Kinetic parameters such as activation energy and frequency factor for thermal decomposition of energetic compounds were obtained via the methods proposed by ASTM E696 and Starink. Also, thermodynamic parameters correspond to the activation of thermal decomposition and critical ignition temperatures of the compounds were obtained.