Computational analysis of relative stabilities of polyazine N-oxides

Towards improving the characteristics of high-energy pyrazines and their N-oxides

CONTEXT

Based on the methods of quantum chemistry and atom-atom potentials, the molecular and crystal structure of a number of high-energy pyrazines was modeled: unsubstituted diazines, as well as fully nitrated 1,4-diazabenzenes, their oxides and polymorphs. The enthalpies of formation, densities of molecular crystals, and some performance characteristics of these compounds were determined. The parameters of decomposition of substances were estimated. It has been established that tetranitropyrazine-1,4-dioxide has maximum energy content and excellent performance characteristics, which determine the prospects for using this compound as a high-energy one in the considered series of compounds.

METHODS

In this work, DFT calculations were conducted through the software Gaussian 09 using B3LYP functional with basis set aug-cc-PVDZ and the Grimme dispersion correction D2. For crystal structure optimization, the atom-atom potential methods with PMC program (Packing of Molecules in Crystal) were used. Charges for molecular electrostatic potential were fitted by FitMEP and enthalpies of formation in gas phase were assessed by G3B3.

The π-hole revisited

It follows from the Schrödinger equation that the forces operating within molecules and molecular complexes are Coulombic, which necessarily entails both electrostatics and polarization. A common and important class of molecular complexes is due to π-holes. These are molecular regions of low electronic density that are perpendicular to planar portions of the molecular frameworks. π-Holes often have positive electrostatic potentials associated with them, which result in mutually polarizing attractive forces with negative sites such as lone pairs, π electrons or anions. In many molecules, π-holes correspond to a flattening of the electronic density surface but in benzene derivatives and in polyazines the π-holes are craters above and below the rings. The interaction energies of π-hole complexes can be expressed quite well in terms of regression relationships that account for both the electrostatics and the polarization. There is a marked gradation in the interaction energies, from quite weak (about -2 kcal mol-1) to relatively strong (about -40 kcal mol-1). Gradations are also evident in the ratios of the intermolecular separations to the sums of the respective van der Waals radii and in the gradual transition of the π-hole atoms from trigonal to quasi-tetrahedral configurations. These trends are consistent with the concept that chemical interactions form a continuum, from very weak to very strong.

The Neglected Nuclei

Since the nuclei in a molecule are treated as stationary, it is perhaps natural that interpretations of molecular properties and reactivity have focused primarily upon the electronic density distribution. The role of the nuclei has generally received little explicit consideration. Our objective has been to at least partially redress this imbalance in emphasis. We discuss a number of examples in which the nuclei play the determining role with respect to molecular properties and reactive behavior. It follows that conventional interpretations based solely upon electronic densities and donating or withdrawing tendencies should be made with caution.

Thermogravimetric analysis, kinetic study, and pyrolysis-GC/MS analysis of 1,1'-azobis-1,2,3-triazole and 4,4'-azobis-1,2,4-triazole

BACKGROUND

In general, the greater the number of directly linked nitrogen atoms in a molecule, the better its energetic performance, while the stability will be accordingly lower. But 1,1'-azobis-1,2,3-triazole (1) and 4,4'-azobis-1,2,4-triazole (2) show remarkable properties, such as high enthalpies of formation, high melting points, and relatively high stabilities. In order to rationalize this unexpected behavior of the two compounds, it is necessary to study their thermal decompositions and pyrolyses. Although a great deal of research has been focused on the synthesis and characterization of energetic materials with 1 and 2 as the backbone, a complete report on their fundamental thermodynamic parameters and thermal decomposition properties has not been published.

METHODS

Thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry were used to obtain the thermal decomposition data of the title compounds. Kissinger and Ozawa-Doyle methods, the two selected non-isothermal methods, are presented for analysis of the solid-state kinetic data. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to study the pyrolysis process of the title compounds.

RESULTS

The DSC curves show that the thermal decompositions of 1 and 2 are at different heating rates involved a single exothermic process. The TG curves provide insight into the total weight losses from the compounds associated with this process. At different pyrolysis temperatures, the compositions and types of the pyrolysis products differ greatly and the pyrolysis reaction at 500 °C is more thorough than 400 °C.

CONCLUSIONS

Apparent activation energies (E) and pre-exponential factors (lnA/s^-1) are 291.4 kJ mol^-1 and 75.53 for 1; 396.2 kJ mol^-1 and 80.98 for 2 (Kissinger). The values of E are 284.5 kJ mol^-1 for 1 and 386.1 kJ mol^-1 for 2 (Ozawa-Doyle). The critical temperature of thermal explosion (T _b ) is evaluated as 187.01 °C for 1 and 282.78 °C for 2. The title compounds were broken into small fragment ions under the pyrolysis conditions, which then might undergo a multitude of collisions and numerous other reactions, resulting in the formation of C₂N₂ (m/z 52), etc., before being analyzed by the GC/MS system.

Theoretical studies of the structure, stability, and detonation properties of vicinal-tetrazine 1,3-dioxide annulated with a five-membered heterocycle. 2. Annulation with a pyrazole ring

1,2,3,4-Tetrazine (vicinal-tetrazine) high-energy-density compounds (HEDCs) are receiving increasing attention due to their promise as explosives. We have performed a series of studies of vicinal-tetrazine 1,3-dioxides annulated with a range of five-membered heterocycles, considering their potential as high-energy, low-sensitivity explosives. In the present work, 12 pyrazolo-1,2,3,4-tetrazine 1,3-dioxides (pyrazolo-TDOs), P1-P12, were studied theoretically. Their geometrical structures in the gas phase were studied at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of density functional theory (DFT). Their gas-phase enthalpies of formation were calculated by the homodesmotic reaction method. Their enthalpies of sublimation and solid phase enthalpies of formation were also predicted. Their detonation properties were estimated with the Kamlet-Jacobs equations, based on their predicted densities and enthalpies of formation in the solid state. Their bond dissociation activation energies (BDAEs) and the available free space in the lattice of each compound were calculated to evaluate their stabilities. P1, P4, and P11 were found to achieve the energy level of RDX and have acceptable stabilities, and are therefore considered to be the three most promising pyrazolo-TDOs for use as high-energy, low-sensitivity explosives. We believe that further studies, both experimental and theoretical, of these three targets would be worthwhile.

Impact sensitivity and the maximum heat of detonation

We demonstrate that a large heat of detonation is undesirable from the standpoint of the impact sensitivity of an explosive and also unnecessary from the standpoints of its detonation velocity and detonation pressure. High values of the latter properties can be achieved even with a moderate heat of detonation, and this in turn enhances the likelihood of relatively low sensitivity.

The stability and decomposition mechanism of the catenated nitrogen compounds

Through theoretical calculation and experimental data, the decomposition mechanism of the N,N'-azo azole poly-nitrogen compounds were obtained. The compounds with the decomposition caused by the rupture of the -N-N=N-N- bridge are more stable than the ones with the ring-opening decomposition mechanisms. The catenated -N-N=N-N- bridge can strengthen the stability of the nitrogen chain. Preventing the hybridization change of the N atom where the ring-opening reaction occurs is essential for the nitrogen chain elongation on the ring system. Moreover, the introduction of energetic substituents like nitro group can further improve the performances of poly-nitrogen compounds; and such a modification should be based on a stable poly-nitrogen backbone.

Theoretical studies of the structure, stability, and detonation properties of vicinal-tetrazine 1,3-dioxide annulated with a five-membered heterocycle. 1. Annulation with a triazole ring

1,2,3,4-Tetrazine (vicinal-tetrazine) high-energy-density compounds (HEDCs) are receiving increasing attention due to their promise as explosives. We have performed a series of studies of vicinal-tetrazine 1,3-dioxides annulated with a range of five-membered heterocycles, considering their potential as high-energy, low-sensitivity explosives. In the present work, twelve 1,2,3-triazol-1,2,3,4-tetrazine 1,3-dioxides (TTDOs; T1-T12) were studied theoretically. Their geometric structures in the gas phase were studied at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of density functional theory (DFT). Their gas-phase enthalpies of formation were calculated by the homodesmotic reaction method. Their enthalpies of sublimation and solid-phase enthalpies of formation were also predicted. Their detonation properties were estimated with the Kamlet-Jacobs equations, based on their predicted densities and enthalpies of formation in the solid state. Their bond dissociation activation energies (BDAEs) and the available free space in the lattice of each compound were calculated to evaluate their stabilities. T2, T5, and T11 were found to have higher energies than RDX and acceptable stabilities, and are therefore considered to be the three most promising TTDOs for use as high-energy, low-sensitivity explosives. We believe that further studies, both experimental and theoretical, of these three targets would be worthwhile.

Improving an insensitive low-energy compound, 1,3,4,6,7,9-hexaazacycl[3.3.3]azine, to be an insensitive high explosive by way of two-step structural modifications

We improved an insensitive low-energy compound, 1,3,4,6,7,9-hexaazacycl[3.3.3]azine (HAA), to be an insensitive high explosive by a useful approach of two-step structural modifications. First, the three carbon atoms in HAA are substituted by three new nitrogen atoms symmetrically to form a new energetic compound, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9-nonaazacycl[3.3.3]azine (NAA). Then, introducing three N-oxides into NAA symmetrically generates another new energetic compound, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9-nonaazacycl[3.3.3]azine-2,5,8-trioxides (NAATO). The energetic properties and sensitivity of NAATO were studied by using density functional theory. The results indicate that NAATO has higher detonation performance than RDX and comparative sensitivity to TNT, indicating that it has outstanding overall performance and may be considered as a potential candidate of insensitive high explosives. Thus, the insensitive low-energy compound HAA was successfully improved to be an insensitive high explosive by the two-step structural modifications.

Theoretical study on the structure and stability of [1,2,5] oxadiazolo [3,4-e] [1,2,3,4]-tetrazine-4,6-Di-N-dioxide (FTDO)

Although many 1,2,3,4-tetrazine-1,3-dioxide derivates have been synthesized, [1,2,5] oxadiazolo [3,4-e] [1,2,3,4]-tetrazine-4,6-di-N-dioxide (FTDO) is the only one with high enthalpy of formation and high detonation velocity. Whereas, its stability has not been studied. In the present work, the structure of FTDO was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) method, and its stability was calculated by potential energy surface scanning and structure interconvert thermodynamics under different temperatures. The spontaneous isomerization of FTDO and its effect on the stability of FTDO were investigated. The dissociation of FTDO to N2, N2O and furoxan fragments was studied, and the possibility of synthetic route from FTDO to TTTO was discussed.