Sulfur in motion: bridging chemistry and performance in next-generation energetic materials

Abstract

Research on high-energy-density materials (HEDMs) has largely centered around molecules derived 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 improving thermal stability and reducing sensitivity in high-energy compounds. However, this approach remains underexplored. This study explores molecules featuring sulfur incorporated in 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 synthetic strategy similar to those for reported sulfur-based energetic materials is implemented 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 their applicability in both propellant and pyrotechnic technologies, thereby augmenting the utility of sulfur-based energetic materials.