Synthesis and Investigation of Energetic Boron Compounds for Pyrotechnics

The energetic boron esters tris(1‐ethyl‐5‐aminotetrazolyl) borate, tris(2‐ethyl‐5‐aminotetrazolyl) borate, tris(1‐ethyltetrazolyl) borate, tris(2‐ethyltetrazolyl) borate, and tris(2‐(3‐nitro‐1, 2,4‐triazolyl)ethyl) borate were synthesized and analyzed by NMR and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. Two tetracoordinate borates potassium tetrakis(3‐nitro‐1, 2,4‐triazolyl)borate and potassium bis(4, 4′,5, 5′‐tetranitro‐2, 2′‐bisimidazolyl)borate were synthesized and fully characterized as well. Moreover, the energetic and thermal properties of the energetic boron esters and tetracoordinate borates were determined. The ¹¹B NMR chemical shifts of potassium tetrakis(3‐nitro‐1, 2,4‐triazolyl)borate and potassium bis(4, 4′,5, 5′‐tetranitro‐2, 2′‐bisimidazolyl)borate were calculated and compared to the experimental values. Tris(1‐ethyl‐5‐aminotetrazolyl) borate was tested as colorant in pyrotechnic formulations with respect to the combustion behavior and color properties as well as the energetic and thermal properties.     

The Lithium Salts of Bis(azolyl)borates as Strontium- and Chlorine-free Red Pyrotechnic Colorants

After concerns regarding the use of chlorinated material for pyrotechnic items had reinforced, the action of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on health concerns about strontium ushered in a new era in the production of red light. Lithium was shown to impart red color to a pyrotechnic flame, however only a very narrow selection of such formulations can be found in the literature. Dihydrobis(azolyl)borates are a well investigated, easily accessible class of materials which have been proven to be suitable as pyrotechnic coloring agents. With their high nitrogen contents such moieties should also meet the requirements of a low combustion temperature and a reducing flame atmosphere for a lithium-based red-burning composition. This work evaluates the capability of the lithium salts of dihydrobis(pyrazol-1-yl)borate, dihydrobis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)borate, and dihydrobis(tetrazol-1-yl)borate to serve as red color imparters. The latter compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR experiments, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction and were investigated with respect to their thermal stabilities as well as sensitivities toward various ignition stimuli.     

Metal Salts of Dinitro‐, Trinitropyrazole,and Trinitroimidazole

The syntheses of alkali and earth alkaline dinitropyrazolate (DNP), trinitropyrazolate (TNP), and trinitroimidazolate (TNI) salts are reported. Additionally, copper trinitroimidazolate was synthesized. Their characterization by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and vibrational spectroscopy is reported as well. Crystal structures of compound Ba(DNP)₂ ( 9 ), which crystallizes with one molecule of methanol and ethyl ether as well as of compounds Sr(TNP)₂ · 3H₂O ( 12 ), Ba(TNP)₂ · 3H₂O ( 13 ), and LiTNI · 3H₂O ( 14 ) were determined. The energetic and thermal properties were measured as well. Green‐ and red‐burning pyrotechnic formulations containing barium salts 9 and 13 as well as strontium salts 8 and 12 serving as colorants are tested. Additionally, formulations using Sr(TNP)₂ · 3H₂O ( 12 ) and Ba(TNP)₂ · 3H₂O ( 13 ) as the oxidizer and colorant at the same time were examined. The formulations were investigated with regard to their combustion behavior and performances such as burn time, dominant wavelength, spectral purity, luminous intensity, and luminous efficiency. The sensitivities towards ignition stimuli and the decomposition temperatures were determined as well.     

An Improved Method for the Preparation of Energetic Aminotetrazolium Salts

A straightforward way for the preparation of the energetic 5‐aminotetrazolium and 1, 5‐diaminotetrazolium salts is reported. The energetic salts were readily synthesized by the reaction of 5‐aminotetrazolium nitrate or 1, 5‐diaminotetrazolium nitrate with ammonium 5‐nitroiminotetrazolate, ammonium 1‐methyl‐5‐nitroiminotetrazolate, bis(ammonium) ethylene bis(5‐nitroiminotetrazolate), and diammonium iminobis(5‐tetrazolate), respectively, in water under mild conditions. All products were recovered as highly crystalline materials in excellent yields and purities, and were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, DSC measurements as well as elemental analyses.     

3,6,7‐Triamino‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐b][1,2,4]triazole: A Non‐toxic,High‐Performance Energetic Building Block with Excellent Stability

A novel strategy for the design of energetic materials that uses fused amino‐substituted triazoles as energetic building blocks is presented. The 3,6,7‐triamino‐7H‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐b][1,2,4]triazolium (TATOT) motif can be incorporated into many ionic, nitrogen‐rich materials to form salts with advantages such as remarkably high stability towards physical or mechanical stimuli, excellent calculated detonation velocity, and toxicity low enough to qualify them as “green explosives”. Neutral TATOT can be synthesized in a convenient and inexpensive two‐step protocol in high yield. To demonstrate the superior properties of TATOT, 13 ionic derivatives were synthesized and their chemical‐ and physicochemical properties (e.g., sensitivities towards impact, friction and electrostatic discharge) were investigated extensively. Low toxicity was demonstrated for neutral TATOT and its nitrate salt. Both are insensitive towards impact and friction and the nitrate salt combines outstanding thermal stability (decomposition temperature=280 °C) with promising calculated energetic values.     

Polynitroethyl‐ and Fluorodinitroethyl Substituted Boron Esters

The reaction of boron oxide with various nitro‐substituted ethanols (2‐nitroethanol, 2‐fluoro‐2,2‐dinitroethanol, 2,2,2‐trinitroethanol) furnished the corresponding nitroethyl borates B(OCH₂CH₂NO₂)₃ ( 1 ), B(OCH₂CF(NO₂)₂)₃ ( 2 ), and B(OCH₂C(NO₂)₃)₃ ( 3 ). Fluorination of the anion [(NO₂)₂CCH₂OH]^? ( 4 ) resulted in 2‐fluoro‐2,2‐dinitroethanol ( 5 ), a precursor for 2 , and was thoroughly characterized. An interesting condensation was observed with the anion 4 to form the unusual dianion [(NO₂)₂CCH₂C(NO₂)₂]^2? ( 6 ). All compounds were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, vibrational spectroscopy (IR, Raman), mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The chemical, physical and energetic properties of 1 – 3 and 5 are reported, as well as quantum chemical calculations at the CBS‐4M level of theory to predict the enthalpies and energies of formation. X‐ray diffraction studies were performed, and the crystal structures for compounds 1 – 6 were determined and discussed thoroughly. The boron esters 1 – 3 are of interest as possible candidates for smoke‐free, green colorants in pyrotechnic applications, and in case of 2 and 3 also as promising high energy oxidizers.     

"Green" pyrotechnics: a chemists' challenge

Fireworks are probably the application of chemistry which resonates best with the general public. However, fireworks and (civil and military) pyrotechnic applications cause environmental pollution and thus have given rise to the development of new, environmentally friendly pyrotechnic compounds and formulations. Nitrogen-rich energetic materials, such as the derivatives of tetrazoles and tetrazines, are about to revolutionize traditional pyrotechnic compositions. This Review summarizes the sources of pollution in current formulations and recent efforts toward "green" pyrotechnics.     

Nitroguanidine‐Fused Bicyclic Guanidinium Salts: A Family of High‐Density Energetic Materials

A series of nitroguanidine‐fused bicyclic guanidinium energetic salts paired with inorganic energetic anions, mono‐ and di‐tetrazolate anions were synthesized through simple metathesis reactions of 2‐iminium‐5‐nitriminooctahydroimidazo[4,5‐d]imidazole chloride and sulfate with the corresponding silver and barium salts, respectively, in aqueous solution. Key physical properties, such as melting point, thermal stability, and density were measured. The relationship between the structures of the salts and these properties was determined. The salts exhibit thermal stability and density (>1.60 g cm^?3) that are comparable to currently used explosives The structures of the nitrate salt 1 and the dinitrocyanomethanide salt 4 were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Densities, heats of formation, detonation pressures and velocities, and specific impulses were calculated. All of the salts possess positive calculated heats of formation and most of them exhibit promising energetic performance that is comparable with those of 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene (TNT), 1,3,5‐triamino‐2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene (TATB), and cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX). The effect of the fused bicycle 2‐iminium‐5‐nitriminooctahydroimidazo[4,5‐d]imidazole on these physicochemical properties was examined and discussed.     

Small Cation‐Based High‐Performance Energetic Nitraminofurazanates

Large nitramino‐substituted furazan anions were combined with small cations (hydroxylammonium, hydrazinium, and ammonium) to form a series of energetic salts that was fully characterized. The structures of several of the compounds ( 1 a , 2 a , 3 a , and 4 a ) were further confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Based on their physiochemical properties, such as density, thermal stability, and sensitivity, together with the calculated detonation properties, it was found that they exhibit good detonation performance and have potential application as high‐energy‐density materials.     

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.     

Energetic 4,4′‐Oxybis[3,3′‐(1‐hydroxytetrazolyl)]furazan and Its Salts

Energetic compounds that incorporate multiple nitrogen‐rich heterocycles are of great interest for high‐density energetic materials. A facile synthetic strategy to combine an oxy bridge and furazan groups, as well as tetrazole‐ols, into a molecule ( 5 ) was found. Some energetic salts based on 5 were prepared by neutralization. All of the compounds were fully characterized. Additionally, the structure of 7 has been elucidated by single‐crystal XRD analysis. Physicochemical and energetic properties were also studied; these show that these newly designed energetic salts exhibit good thermal stabilities. Hydroxylammonium salt ( 6 ) has a detonation performance and sensitivities comparable with those of 1,3,5‐trinitroperhydro‐1,3,5‐triazine (RDX).     

Heterocyclic-based nitrodicyanomethanide and dinitrocyanomethanide salts: a family of new energetic ionic liquids

Twelve novel energetic salts 1a-f and 2a-f with nitrodicyanomethanide and dinitrocyanomethanide anions paired with 1,5-diamino-4-methyltetrazolium, 1,4-dimethyl-5-aminotetrazolium 1,4,5-trimethyltetrazolium, 1-methyl-4-amino-1,2,4-triazolium, 1,4-dimethyltriazolium, and 1,3-dimethylimidazolium have been prepared through metathesis reactions of equivalent silver(I) salts with corresponding iodide salts in acetonitrile. Key physical properties, such as melting point, thermal stability and density, were measured. The relationship between their structures and these properties was determined. The structures of 1,5-diamino-4-methyltetrazolium-based salts 1a and 2a were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The densities and standard enthalpies of formation for these energetic salts were calculated. All of the salts possess higher enthalpies of formation than the nitrate analogues.     

单离子导体聚合硼酸锂盐的研究进展

目前商业化锂离子电池常用的锂盐LiPF6,对水极其敏感,热稳定性差,尤其是在高温条件下的应用存在着一定的安全隐患.种类多且环境友好的新型有机硼酸锂盐越来越受到人们的重视.本文综述了近年来几种锂盐的合成方法,电化学性能,各自存在的优点和不足以及本课题组在聚合硼酸锂盐方向取得的系列研究进展,并对锂盐和聚合物电解质的发展方向进行了展望.     

4-Nitramino-3,5-dinitropyrazole-based energetic salts

4‐Nitramino‐3,5‐dinitropyrazole was prepared and stabilized through the formation of its ammonium salt. With selected cations, 14 nitrogen‐rich energetic salts were synthesized in high yield by metathesis reactions. These salts were fully characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Additionally, the structures of the ammonium, 3,4,5‐triaminotriazolium, and biguanidinium salts were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Based on experimental and calculated values, the 4‐nitramino‐3,5‐dinitropyrazolate salts show properties, such as decomposition temperatures (115–229 °C), detonation pressures (23.27–37.42 GPa) and velocities (7713–9013 ms^?1), and impact sensitivities (5–40 J) that place them with energetics such as RDX and TATB.     

Synthesis of micro porous barium nitrate with improved ignition reliability as a reliable pyrotechnic oxidant

Pure barium nitrate is one of the most widely used oxidizing materials in the field of pyrotechnics. The ignition reliability of compositions based on this material is not very high and needs to be improved. In the present work, modified barium nitrate with micro porous structure has been synthesized using three different vesicants to make it more reliable as a pyrotechnic oxidant. Two pyrotechnic compositions were formulated by using pure and modified barium nitrate as oxidant and micro sized aluminum powder was used as a fuel. The ignition temperature of both the compositions was determined using differential thermal analysis. The composition formulated with the modified oxidizer ignited at lower temperatures as compared to the one formulated with pure barium nitrate depicting an improvement in the ignition behavior. SEM results show that the modified barium nitrate has obvious pores of the order of few micrometers. Bulk density of the modified oxidizer decreased due to the development of micro pores. Crystallite size of the barium nitrate also decreased after the modification.     

Synthesis of a One‐dimensional Coordination Polymer Based on Copper(II) Nitrate and 1,2‐Bis(5‐monomethylhydrazinyl‐1H‐tetrazolyl)ethane

A one‐dimensional coordination polymer based on copper(II) nitrate and 1,2‐bis(5‐monomethylhydrazinyl‐1H‐tetrazolyl)ethane as ligand was prepared. The thermal and physical stability was determined by differential scanning calorimetry and BAM methods. The polymer was investigated by vibrational spectroscopy and single X‐ray diffraction. Moreover, the ligand itself and the 1,2‐bis(1H‐tetrazolyl)ethane were characterized as energetic material by bomb calorimetric measurements along with calculations using the EXPLO5 software. Both compounds have moderate energetic properties along with a high thermal and physical stability. These findings render these compounds into promising environment friendly gas generating agents.     

Strontium Nitriminotetrazolates – Suitable Colorants in Smokeless Pyrotechnic Compositions

The new compounds strontium 5‐nitriminotetrazolate dihydrate ( 1 ), strontium bis(1‐hydro‐5‐nitriminotetrazolate) tetrahydrate ( 2 ), strontium bis(1‐methyl‐5‐nitriminotetrazolate) monohydrate ( 3 ) and strontium bis(2‐methyl‐5‐nitraminotetrazolate)·x H₂O (x = 2–4) ( 4 ) were synthesized by the reactions of strontium hydroxide octahydrate and 5‐nitriminotetrazole ( 5 ), 1‐methyl‐5‐nitriminotetrazole ( 6 ) and 2‐methyl‐5‐nitraminotetrazole ( 7 ), respectively. The compounds were characterized using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, vibrational (IR and Raman) spectroscopy, elemental analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The solid state structures of 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 were determined using low temperature X‐ray diffraction. In addition, the sensitivities (impact, friction, electrical discharge) of 1 – 4 were investigated and their use as red colorants in pyrotechnic compositions was tested.     

4‐Nitro‐3‐(5‐tetrazole)furoxan and Its Salts: Synthesis,Characterization, and Energetic Properties

A series of new energetic salts based on 4‐nitro‐3‐(5‐tetrazole)furoxan (HTNF) has been synthesized. All of the salts have been fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H and ¹³C), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The crystal structures of neutral HTNF ( 3 ) and its ammonium ( 4 ) and N‐carbamoylguanidinium salts ( 9 ) have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The densities of 3 and its nine salts were found to range from 1.63 to 1.84 g cm^?3. Impact sensitivities have been determined by hammer tests, and the results ranged from 2 J (very sensitive) to >40 J (insensitive). Theoretical performance calculations (Gaussian 03 and EXPLO 5.05) provided detonation pressures and velocities for the ionic compounds 4 – 12 in the ranges 25.5–36.2 GPa and 7934–8919 m s^?1, respectively, which make them competitive energetic materials.     

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).     

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.