Synthesis and characterization of 2,6-dinitro-3,7,10-trioxo-2,4,6,8,9,11-hexaaza[3.3.3]propellane as a promising insensitive high energy material

Abstract

Insensitive munitions (IMs) that suit safety requirements have received much attention to prevent an accidental explosion of the munition by external stimuli. For example, 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), a sensitive legacy explosive material with high explosive performance, is usually used together with insensitive explosives such as 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TATB) in IM formulation to fit the safe operational range of sensitivities. In recent decades, the development of new high energy materials (HEMs) with remarkable insensitivities have become a forefront topic of the energetic material field. Herein, we report a novel HEM based on a hexaaza[3.3.3]propellane skeleton, 2,6-dinitro-3,7,10-trioxo-2,4,6,8,9,11-hexaaza[3.3.3]pro-pellane (5), which was determined to have high explosive performance along with reduced sensitivity to external stimuli. Both the measured explosive performances and the impact sensitivity of 5 were better than those of TATB. We propose 5 as a promising insensitive HEM and a potential candidate for IM.