Energetic salts based on dipicrylamine and its amino derivative

High energy barrier hydroxyl radical dissociation mechanism of a low shock sensitivity dihydroxylammonium 5,5'-bistetrazole-1,1'-diolate (TKX-50) explosive

As a representative of the new generation of high-energy explosives, TKX-50 has attracted widespread attention due to its remarkably low sensitivity toward shock. However, the reported decomposition barriers of TKX-50 (∼37 kcal mol-1) are comparable to those of commonly used explosives. The mechanism of its low shock sensitivity remains unclear. In this study, using an ab initio molecular dynamics method combined with a multiscale shock simulation technique and transition state calculations (at the B2PLYP-D3/Def2TZVP level), we discovered an unconventional reaction pathway of TKX-50 under shock, and its rate-controlling step is the dissociation of the hydroxyl radical (OH) from the anion ring after proton transfer, followed by ring rupture and the production of H2O and N2. The barrier for this OH dissociation reaction is as high as 51.9 kcal mol-1. In contrast, under thermal stimuli, TKX-50 prefers to open rings directly after proton transfer without losing the OH. The corresponding barrier is 35.4 kcal mol-1, which is in good agreement with previous studies. The reason for the unconventional reaction pathway of TKX-50 under shock may be the suppression of anion ring opening in thermal decomposition by steric hindrance upon shock compression. In addition, the dominant N2 generation pathway under shock releases less energy than pyrolysis which further explains the low shock sensitivity of TKX-50. This study comprehensively elucidates the different reaction mechanisms of TKX-50 under thermal and shock conditions and proposes a crucial reaction pathway leading to its low shock sensitivity. These findings will contribute to the understanding and application of tetrazole anionic energetic salts.

Strategies for Achieving Balance between Detonation Performance and Crystal Stability of High-Energy-Density Materials

Performance-stability contradiction of high-energy-density materials (HEDMs) is a long-standing puzzle in the field of chemistry and material science. Bridging the gap that exists between detonation performance of new HEDMs and their stability remains a formidable challenge. Achieving optimal balance between the two contradictory factors is of a significant demand for deep-well oil and gas drilling, space exploration, and other civil and defense applications. Herein, supercomputers and latest quantitative computational strategies were employed and high-throughput quantum calculations were conducted for 67 reported HEDMs. Based on statistical analysis of large amounts of physico-chemical data, in-crystal interspecies interactions were identified to be the one that provokes the performance-stability contradiction of HEDMs. To design new HEDMs with both good detonation performance and high stability, the proposed systematic and comprehensive strategies must be satisfied, which could promote the development of crystal engineering of HEDMs to an era of theory-guided rational design of materials.

Molecular and Crystal Features of Thermostable Energetic Materials: Guidelines for Architecture of "Bridged" Compounds

Extensive density functional theory (DFT) calculation and data analysis on molecular and crystal level features of 60 reported energetic materials (EMs) allowed us to define key descriptors that are characteristics of these compounds' thermostability. We see these descriptors as reminiscent of "Lipinski's rule of 5", which revolutionized the design of new orally active pharmaceutical molecules. The proposed descriptors for thermostable EMs are of a type of molecular design, location and type of the weakest bond in the energetic molecule, as well as specific ranges of oxygen balance, crystal packing coefficient, Hirshfeld surface hydrogen bonding, and crystal lattice energy. On this basis, we designed three new thermostable EMs containing bridged, 3,5-dinitropyrazole moieties, HL3, HL7, and HL9, which were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated in small-scale field detonation experiments. The best overall performing compound HL7 exhibited an onset decomposition temperature of 341 °C and has a density of 1.865 g cm-3, and the calculated velocity of detonation and maximum detonation pressure were 8517 m s-1 and 30.6 GPa, respectively. Considering HL7's impressive safety parameters [impact sensitivity (IS) = 22 J; friction sensitivity (FS) = 352; and electrostatic discharge sensitivity (ESD) = 1.05 J] and the results of small-scale field detonation experiments, the proposed guidelines should further promote the rational design of novel thermostable EMs, suitable for deep well drilling, space exploration, and other high-value defense and civil applications.

Design, synthesis and investigations of a series of energetic salts through the variation of amines and concentration of picrate anions

Eight energetic salts combining N-bases with picrate ion were synthesized in high yields. The structures and energetic properties were regulated by the variation of N-base molecules and the concentration of the picric acid in the reaction mixture.

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.

Estimating the densities of benzene-derived explosives using atomic volumes

The application of average atomic volumes to predict the crystal densities of benzene-derived energetic compounds of general formula C _a H _b N _c O _d is presented, along with the reliability of this method. The densities of 119 neutral nitrobenzenes, energetic salts, and cocrystals with diverse compositions were estimated and compared with experimental data. Of the 74 nitrobenzenes for which direct comparisons could be made, the % error in the estimated density was within 0-3% for 54 compounds, 3-5% for 12 compounds, and 5-8% for the remaining 8 compounds. Among 45 energetic salts and cocrystals, the % error in the estimated density was within 0-3% for 25 compounds, 3-5% for 13 compounds, and 5-7.4% for 7 compounds. The absolute error surpassed 0.05 g/cm³ for 27 of the 119 compounds (22%). The largest errors occurred for compounds containing fused rings and for compounds with three -NH₂ or -OH groups. Overall, the present approach for estimating the densities of benzene-derived explosives with different functional groups was found to be reliable. Graphical abstract Application and reliability of average atom volume in the crystal density prediction of energetic compounds containing benzene ring.

Preparation and characteristics of 1,2,4-oxadiazole-derived energetic ionic salts with nitrogen linkages

A new family of nitrogen-bridged energetic ionic salts were synthesized exhibiting good stabilities and low sensitivities.

Thermally stable energetic salts based on 3-nitramino-4-tetrazolefurazan

The combination of nitramino group and tetrazole with the furazan ring gave rise to energetic salts which are thermally stable up to 284 °C.

1,2,4,5-Dioxadiazine-functionalized [N–NO2]− furazan energetic salts

1,2,4,5-Dioxadiazine is identified as a key bridge to improve the density and detonation performance of energetic materials.

Synthesis and characterization of a new family of energetic salts based on a guanidinium cation containing a picryl moiety

A series of energetic salts based on a guanidinium cation containing a picryl moiety was successfully synthesized and characterized.

Crystal structure of the high-energy-density material guanylurea dipicryl-amide

The title compound, 1-carbamoylguanidinium bis-(2,4,6-tri-nitro-phen-yl)amide [H2NC(=O)NHC(NH2)2](+)[N{C6H2(NO2)3-2,4,6}2](-) (= guanylurea dipicryl-amide), was prepared as dark-red block-like crystals in 70% yield by salt-metathesis reaction between guanylurea sulfate and sodium dipicryl-amide. In the solid state, the new compound builds up an array of mutually linked guanylurea cations and dipicryl-amide anions. The crystal packing is dominated by an extensive network of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, resulting in a high density of 1.795 Mg m(-3), which makes the title compound a potential secondary explosive.

Explosive Werner-type cobalt(iii) complexes

A series of potentially explosive Werner-type cobalt(iii) complexes comprising the anions azotetrazolate, nitrotetrazolate, picrate and dipicrylamide have been prepared via simple metathetical routes. Representative studies of the energetic properties (impact and friction sensitivity, combustion) revealed that some of the new compounds are primary explosives.

Energetic salts prepared from phenolate derivatives

Energetic salts with 1 : 1, 2 : 1, and 3 : 1 charge ratios (cation : anion) based on various nitrogen-rich cations and phenolate anions have been synthesized by a straightforward and simple method.

Conjugated energetic salts based on 3,3′-((1E,1′E)-(2,4,6-trinitro-1,3-phenylene)bis(ethene-2,1-diyl))bis(2,4,6-trinitrophenol)

Highly conjugated energetic salts exhibit remarkable thermostability and insensitivity.