Fluorine-Containing Functional Group-Based Energetic Materials

Molecules featuring fluorine-containing functional groups exhibit outstanding properties with high density, low sensitivity, excellent thermal stability, and good energetic performance due to the strong electron-withdrawing ability and high density of fluorine. Hence, they play a pivotal role in the field of energetic materials. In light of current theoretical and experimental reports, this review systematically focuses on three types of energetic materials possessing fluorine-containing functional groups F- and NF2 - substituted trinitromethyl groups (C(NO2 )2 F, C(NO2 )2 NF2 ), trifluoromethyl group (CF3 ), and difluoroamino and pentafluorosulfone groups (NF2 , SF5 ) and investigates the synthetic methods, physicochemical parameters, and energetic properties of each. The incorporation of fluorine-containing functional moieties is critical for the development of novel high energy density materials, and is rapidly being adopted in the design of energetic materials.

Asymmetrical Methylene-Bridge Linked Fully Iodinated Azoles as Energetic Biocidal Materials with Improved Thermal Stability

The instability and volatility of iodine is high, however, effective iodine biocidal species can be readily stored in iodinated azoles and then be released upon decomposition or detonation. Iodine azoles with high iodine content and high thermal stability are highly desired. In this work, the strategy of methylene bridging with asymmetric structures of 3,4,5-triiodo-1-H-pyrazole (TIP), 2,4,5-triiodo-1H-imidazol (TIM), and tetraiodo-1H-pyrrole (TIPL) are proposed. Two highly stable fully iodinated methylene-bridged azole compounds 3,4,5-triiodo-1-((2,4,5-triiodo-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-pyrazole (3) and 3,4,5-triiodo-1-((tetraiodo-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-pyrazole (4) were obtained with high iodine content and excellent thermal stability (iodine content: 84.27% for compound 3 and 86.48% for compound 4; T_d: 3: 285 °C, 4: 260 °C). Furthermore, their composites with high-energy oxidant ammonium perchlorate (AP) were designed. The combustion behavior and thermal decomposition properties of the formulations were tested and evaluated. This work may open a new avenue to develop advanced energetic biocidal materials with well-balanced energetic and biocidal properties and versatile functionality.

Enhanced Energetic Performance via the Combination of Furoxan and Oxa-[5,5]bicyclic Structures

Three new compounds based on the combination of furoxan (1,2,5-oxadiazole N-oxide) and oxa-[5,5]bicyclic ring were synthesized. Among them, the nitro compound showed satisfactory detonation properties (Dv, 8565 m s^-1; P, 31.9 GPa), which is comparable to the performance of RDX (a classic high-energy secondary explosive). Additionally, the introduction of the N-oxide moiety and oxidation of the amino group more effectively improved the oxygen balance and density (d, 1.81 g cm^-3; OB%, +2.8%) of the compounds compared to furazan analogues. Combined with good density and oxygen balance as well as moderate sensitivity, this type of furoxan and oxa-[5,5]bicyclic structure will open up a platform for the synthesis and design of new high-energy materials.

Chemical Descriptors for a Large-Scale Study on Drop-Weight Impact Sensitivity of High Explosives

The drop-weight impact test is an experiment that has been used for nearly 80 years to evaluate handling sensitivity of high explosives. Although the results of this test are known to have large statistical uncertainties, it is one of the most common tests due to its accessibility and modest material requirements. In this paper, we compile a large data set of drop-weight impact sensitivity test results (mainly performed at Los Alamos National Laboratory), along with a compendium of molecular and chemical descriptors for the explosives under test. These data consist of over 500 unique explosives, over 1000 repeat tests, and over 100 descriptors, for a total of about 1500 observations. We use random forest methods to estimate a model of explosive handling sensitivity as a function of chemical and molecular properties of the explosives under test. Our model predicts well across a wide range of explosive types, spanning a broad range of explosive performance and sensitivity. We find that properties related to explosive performance, such as heat of explosion, oxygen balance, and functional group, are highly predictive of explosive handling sensitivity. Yet, models that omit many of these properties still perform well. Our results suggest that there is not one or even several factors that explain explosive handling sensitivity, but that there are many complex, interrelated effects at play.

Trinitromethyl Energetic Groups Enhance High Heats of Detonation

The introduction of groups with high enthalpies of formation can effectively improve the detonation performance of the compounds. A series of novel energetic compounds (10-13) with high enthalpies of formation, high density, and high nitrogen-oxygen content were designed and synthesized by combining gem-polynitromethyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, furoxan, and azo groups. All the new compounds were thoroughly characterized by IR, NMR, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Compounds 10 and 11 were also further characterized with single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 11 has high density (1.93 g cm^-3), high enthalpy of formation (993.5 kJ mol^-1), high detonation velocity (9411 m s^-1), and high heat of detonation (6889 kJ kg^-1) and is a potentially excellent secondary explosive.

Novel family of nitrogen-rich energetic (1,2,4-triazolyl) furoxan salts with balanced performance

Nitrogen-rich energetic materials comprised of a combination of several heterocyclic subunits retain their leading position in the field of materials science. In this regard, a preparation of novel high-energy materials with balanced set of physicochemical properties is highly desired. Herein, we report the synthesis of a new series of energetic salts incorporating a (1,2,4-triazolyl) furoxan core and complete evaluation of their energetic properties. All target energetic materials were well characterized with IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, while compound 6 was further characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Prepared nitrogen-rich salts have high thermal stability (up to 232°C), good experimental densities (up to 1.80 g cm⁻³) and high positive enthalpies of formation (344–1,095 kJ mol⁻¹). As a result, synthesized energetic salts have good detonation performance (D = 7.0–8.4 km s⁻¹; p = 22–32 GPa), while their sensitivities to impact and friction are quite low.

Oxidation of o-dioxime by (diacetoxyiodo)benzene: green and mild access to furoxans

Diversified furoxan derivatives are efficiently obtained through a mild oxidation strategy, which greatly reduces the safety risk.

Potassium (3-Methyl-2-oxido-1,2,5-oxadiazol-4-yl)dinitromethanide

Furoxan derivatives enriched with explosophoric functionalities are promising compounds in the preparation of novel energetic materials. Herein, a previously unknown potassium (3-methyl-2-oxido-1,2,5-oxadiazol-4-yl)dinitromethanide (also referred to as potassium 4-dinitromethyl-3-methylfuroxanate) was synthesized via tandem nitration-reduction reactions of an available (furoxanyl)chloroxime. The structure of the synthesized compound was established by elemental analysis, IR, 1H, 13C and 14N NMR spectroscopy. Thermal stability and mechanical sensitivity of the prepared compound toward impact and friction were experimentally determined.

Design and Synthesis of Nitrogen-Rich Azo-Bridged Furoxanylazoles as High-Performance Energetic Materials

A series of novel energetic materials comprising of azo-bridged furoxanylazoles enriched with energetic functionalities was designed and synthesized. These high-energy materials were thoroughly characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR ( 1 H, 13 C, 14 N) spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The molecular structures of representative amino and azo oxadiazole assemblies were additionally confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and X-ray powder diffraction. A comparison of contributions of explosophoric moieties into the density of energetic materials revealed that furoxan and 1,2,4-oxadiazole rings are the densest motifs while the substitution of the azide and amino fragments on the nitro and azo ones leads to an increase of the density. Azo bridged energetic materials have high nitrogen-oxygen contents (68.8-76.9%) and high thermal stability. The synthesized compounds exhibit good experimental densities (1.62-1.88 g cm -3 ), very high enthalpies of formation (846-1720 kJ mol -1 ), and, as a result, excellent detonation performance (detonation velocities 7.66-9.09 km s -1 and detonation pressures 25.0-37.7 GPa). From the application perspective, the detonation parameters of azo oxadiazole assemblies exceed those of the benchmark explosive RDX, while a combination of high detonation performance and acceptable friction sensitivity of azo(1,2,4-triazolylfuroxan) make it a promising potential alternative to PETN.

Construction of Coplanar Bicyclic Backbones for 1,2,4-Triazole-1,2,4-Oxadiazole-Derived Energetic Materials

Combining different nitrogen-rich heterocycles into a molecule can fine-tune its energetic performance and physical properties as well as its safety for use in energetic materials. Here, 1,2,4-oxadiazole was incorporated into 1,2,4-triazole to construct new energetic backbones. 3-(5-Amino-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-amine (5) was designed and synthesized. Nitramino-functionalized N-(5-(5-amino-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)nitramide (6) and N-(5-(5-(nitramino)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)nitramide (7) were also obtained, and two series of corresponding nitrogen-rich salts were prepared, leading to the creation of new energetic compounds. All derivatives were fully characterized, and five of them were further confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The theoretical calculations, energetic performance, safety, and the main decomposition gaseous products of 1,2,4-triazole-1,2,4-oxadiazole-derived energetic materials were studied. Compound 7 and its dihydroxylammonium salt (7 c) exhibited prominent detonation performance comparable to that of RDX while possessing satisfying thermal stabilities and mechanical sensitivities.

Synthesis and properties of gem-dinitro energetic salts based on 1,2,4-oxadiazole with low impact sensitivity

The compounds in this study are insensitive to impact and more energetic than TNT, giving new insights into gem-dinitro-derived compounds.

Laser ignition of energetic complexes: impact of metal ion on laser initiation ability

Alkali metal-containing energetic complexes were easy to initiate, followed by the free ligand, whereas the alkaline-earth metal complexes exhibited longer initiation delay times.

Methyl sydnone imine and its energetic salts

First investigation of this new energetic cation, which may greatly expand the range of possible energetic salts available.

3,4-Bis(3-tetrazolylfuroxan-4-yl)furoxan: A Linear C-C Bonded Pentaheterocyclic Energetic Material with High Heat of Formation and Superior Performance

The design and preparation of new nitrogen-rich heterocyclic compounds are of considerable significance for the development of high-performing energetic materials. By combining nitrogen-rich tetrazole and oxygen-rich furoxan, a linear C-C bonded pentaheterocyclic energetic compound, 3,4-bis(3-tetrazolylfuroxan-4-yl) furoxan (BTTFO), was synthesized using a facile and straightforward method. Comprehensive X-ray analysis reveals the key role of hydrogen bonds, π-π interactions, and short contacts in the formation of dense packing of BTTFO and explains why a long chain-shaped molecule has a high density. This multicyclic structure incorporating three furoxan and two tetrazole moieties results in an exceptionally high heat of formation (1290.8 kJ mol^-1) and favorable calculated detonation performances (v _D, 8621 m s^-1, P, 31.5 GPa). The interesting structure and fascinating properties demonstrated the feasibility of a linear multicyclic approach as a high-energy-density skeleton. Additionally, the thermodynamic parameters, electrostatic potential (ESP), and frontier molecular orbitals were also studied to get a better understanding of structure-property correlations.

A Family of Energetic Materials Based on 1,2,4-Oxadiazole and 1,2,5-Oxadiazole Backbones With Low Insensitivity and Good Detonation Performance

Design and synthesis of new compounds with both high detonation performances and good safety properties have always been a formidable task in the field of energetic materials. By introducing -ONO₂ and -NHNO₂ moieties into 1,2,4-oxadiazole- and 1,2,5-oxadiazole-based backbones, a new family of energetic materials, including ammonium 3-nitramino-4-(5-hydroxymethyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-furazan (4), 3,3′-bis[5-nitroxymethyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl]-4,4′-azofuroxan (6), [3-(4-nitroamino-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl]-methylene nitrate (8), and its energetic ionic salts (10–12), were synthesized and fully characterized. The energetic and physical properties of the materials were investigated through theoretical calculations and experimental determination. The results show that the oxadiazole-based compounds exhibit high enthalpy of formations, good detonation performances, and extraordinary insensitivities. In particular, the hydrazinium salt (11) shows the best energetic properties (11: d = 1.821 g cm⁻³; P = 35.1 GPa, v_D = 8,822 m s⁻¹, IS = 40 J, FS > 360N). The ESP and Hirshfeld surface analysis indicated that a large number of hydrogen bonds as well as π-π stacking interactions within molecules might be the key reason for their low sensitivities and high energy-density levels.

Synthesis and application of α-carbonyl nitrile oxides

A strategy has been developed to synthesize α-carbonylfuran and isoxazole using tert-butyl nitrite (TBN) as a nitrogen source.

The Ingenious Synthesis of a Nitro-Free Insensitive High-Energy Material Featuring Face-to-Face and Edge-to-Face π-Interactions

Density, detonation property, and sensitivity may be the most valued features when evaluating an energetic material. By reasoning structure–property relationships, a nitro-free planar energetic material with high nitrogen and oxygen content, 7-hydroxy-difurazano[3,4-b:3′,4′-f]furoxano[3″,4″-d]azepine (4), was synthesized using a unique and facile approach. The structure was fully characterized by IR and NMR spectra, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The expected properties of 4, including a high density of 1.92 g cm⁻³, high detonation velocity of 8,875 m s⁻¹, and low mechanical sensitivities (impact sensitivity, 21 J and friction sensitivity, >360 N), confirm our strategy. Interestingly, the single-crystal structures of 4 reveal expected face-to-face and edge-to-face π-interactions in the crystal stacking. The remarkable differences in crystal stacking of 4 provide unequivocal evidence that face-to-face π-π interactions contribute significantly to closer assembly and higher density.

5-(4-Azidofurazan-3-yl)-1-hydroxytetrazole and its derivatives: from green primary to secondary explosives

These new high-nitrogen-content azidofurazan compounds show potential for use as next-generation green primary and secondary explosives.

Synthesis and performance study of methylene-bridged bis(nitramino-1,2,4-oxadiazole) and its energetic salts

A series of new energetic compounds based on methylene-bridged bis(nitramino-1,2,4-oxadiazole) was synthesized through a simple, safe and efficient route and fully characterized.