Potassium ethylenedinitramine

Ethylenedinitramine (EDNA) is a powerful secondary explosive patented by Hale [3]. The two acidic hydrogens of the nitramino group can be relatively easily replaced with metal ions. Every once in a while speculation arises regarding the applicability of EDNA salts for use as primary explosives. The sensitivity of the metallic salts is, however, relatively low. The cupric salt of ethylenedinitramine is less sensitive than both LA and LS. It follows from Table 13.2 that it is comparable to secondary explosives. Ignition of CuEDNA occurs at 196 °C, DSC onset is at 162 °C (10 °C min ) [4]. Cupric, ferrous, lead, and potassium salts of EDNA are more sensitive then RDX but not sensitive enough to qualify for use as primary explosives. Impact sensitivities obtained by Blatt [5] and summarized in Fedoroff, Shefield, and Kaye s [6] are listed in Table 13.3. 

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