1,1'-azobis(tetrazole): a highly energetic nitrogen-rich compound with a N10 chain

The reaction of 1-aminotetrazole with acidic sodium dichloroisocyanurate allowed isolation of 1,1'-azobis(tetrazole). The rare chain of 10 nitrogen atoms in this compound was confirmed by X-ray crystallography, and the physical and explosive properties of the azo compound were characterized. The title compound possesses both exceedingly high explosive performance and sensitivity.