Synergizing hydrazine co-crystals with hydrazine salt of TNAE: a novel strategy for developing highly insensitive explosives

Abstract

The first-ever combination of di-hydrazine co-crystallization with the tetrahydrazinium salt of 1,1,2,2-tetranitroaminoethane (TNAE) has been successfully achieved, resulting in highly stable energetic materials with excellent performance. This transformation converts the highly sensitive and hygroscopic TNAE moiety into balanced compounds 2 and 3, featuring favorable densities (1.64–1.67 g cm⁻³), exceptional nitrogen and oxygen content (>88%), outstanding detonation properties (VOD: 9481–9637 m s⁻¹; DP: 32.49–32.97 GPa), and high insensitivity (IS > 40 J; FS > 360 N). These enhanced properties position the compounds as strong alternatives to high-performing ε-CL-20 (VOD: 9455 m s⁻¹; DP: 46.7 GPa; IS: 4 J). This pioneering method underscores the synergistic potential of co-crystallisation and energetic salts, opening new avenues in the development of advanced energetic materials.