Computational studies on a high density cage compound hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane derivative

Abstract

A newly designed polynitro cage compound with a framework of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW) was investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The molecular structure was optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G** level. IR spectrum, heat of formation (HOF), and thermodynamic properties were also predicted. The detonation velocity and pressure were evaluated by using the Kamlet–Jacobs equations, based on the theoretical density and condensed HOF. The bond dissociation energies (BDEs) and bond orders for the weakest bonds were analyzed to investigate the thermal stability of the title compound. The results show that the first step of pyrolysis is the rupture of the N8–NO2 bond. The crystal structure obtained by molecular mechanics belongs to the P21 space group, with the following lattice parameters: Z = 2, a = 11.10 Å, b = 15.15 Å, c = 10.77 Å, ρ = 1.872 g cm−3. The designed compound has high thermal stability and good detonation properties, and is a promising high-energy-density compound.