Cuprous salt of 5-nitrotetrazole

The cuprous salt of 5-nitrotetrazole (CuNT) has been patented as a potential green primary explosive by Fronabarger et al. Sensitivity to impact is higher than that of LA and sensitivity to friction is about the same. The brisance of CuNT measured by PDT is superior to that of LA. Sensitivity and performance data are summarized in Table 8.10 [49, 50]. 

The cuprous salt of 5-nitrotetrazole is prepared by the reaction of the sodium salt of 5-nitrotetrazole with cuprous chloride suspended in boiling water (reflux) [49, 50]. The addition of acid to the reaction during preparation improves its thermal stability [49]. Recently, Fronabarger et al. improved the preparation procedure by using the more accessible cupric salt as a starting reactant which is reduced to the cuprous salt directly in the reaction mixture. Sodium ascorbate or ascorbic acid is recommended as the reducing agent [68],... 

---