The sila-explosives Si(CH2N3)4 and Si(CH2ONO2)4: silicon analogues of the common explosives pentaerythrityl tetraazide, C(CH2N3)4, and Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate, C(CH2ONO2)4

The reaction of tetrakis(chloromethyl)silane, Si(CH2Cl)4, with sodium azide afforded tetrakis(azidomethyl)silane (sila-pentaerythrityl tetraazide, Si(CH2N3)4 (1b)). Nitration of tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)silane, Si(CH2OH)4, with nitric acid resulted in the formation of tetrakis(nitratomethyl)silane (sila-pentaerythritol tetranitrate, Si(CH2ONO2)4 (2b)). Compounds 1b and 2b are extremely shock-sensitive materials and very difficult to handle. Spectroscopic data were obtained as good as sensitivity and safety allowed for umambiguous identification. Quantum chemical calculations (DFT) of the C/Si pairs C(CH2OH)4/Si(CH2OH)4, 1a/1b, and 2a/2b regarding the structures and electronic populations were performed.