Sulfur in Motion: Bridging Chemistry and Performance in Next-Generation Energetic Materials

Abstract

Research in high-energy-density materials (HEDMs) has largely centered around molecules built from the classical CHNO framework. However, the exploration of alternative heteroatoms is essential to further advance the field, as well as to reconcile high energetic output with improved handling safety. The incorporation of sulfur, due to its substantial atomic size and potential for diverse non-covalent interactions, contributes significantly to improved thermal stability and reduced sensitivity in high-energy compounds. However, it remains underexplored. This article encompasses molecules featuring sulfur incorporated into heterocyclic backbones, along with various unsymmetrical C-C bridged derivatives, salts, and coordination complexes, to investigate sulfur-based energetic compounds as an emerging class of HEDMs with tangible applications. A similar synthetic strategy of reported sulfur-based energetic materials to develop new thermally stable, laser ignitable molecules with balanced energetic properties, thereby extending beyond the conventional CHNO paradigm. The performance profile of these sulfur-based moieties suggests applicability in both propellant and pyrotechnic technologies, thereby augmenting the utility of sulfur-based energetic materials.