Sodium-5-nitrotetrazole dihydrate

Abstract. Sodium 5-nitrotetrazolate dihydrate (NaNT) is a useful precursor compound for the synthesis of lead-free primary explosives however, currently employed syntheses for the compound are tedious, dangerous, and plagued by impurities. Through comprehensive analysis, we elucidate the identity of the most detrimental impurities and further report an improved procedure for preparation of NaNT, which greatly improves the purity, while avoiding the handling of acid cop-... 

Preparation of sodium-5-nitrotetrazole dihydrate The diazotization of 5-ami-notetrazole monohydrate (AT) in the presence of excess of sodium nitrite and copper sulfate gives a complex cupric salt intermediate [Cu(NT)2 HNT-4H20] which is then converted to the sodium salt [NaNT-2H20]. 

Preparation of BNCP by acidifying CTCN with aqueous perchloric acid (3%) and then adding a solution of sodium-5-nitrotetrazole dihydrate drop by drop. 

Sodium 5-nitrotetrazole dihydrate which is recrystd twice from w and three times from acet and then air dried is used to prepare a standard curve Uses ... 

Our new method of isolating sodium nitrotetrazolate dihydrate produces material in high yield, without the intermediate handling of sensitive explosive compounds. This produced NaNT is of sufficient purity for the preparation of DBX-1 of the quality that is required to replace lead azide. However, it does appear that the DBX-1 used as a seed crystal in the synthesis of DBX-1 influences the behavior of the end product. 

CAUTION Sodium nitrotetrazolate dihydrate is an energetic material with sensitivity to various stimuli. Particular care should be taken to not excessively dry the material, as anhydrous NaNT is considerably more sensitive than the dihydrate. While we encountered no issues in the handling of this material, proper protective measures (face shield, ear protection, body armor, Kevlar gloves, and earthened equipment) should be used at all times. 

Sodium Nitrotetrazolate Dihydrate (NaNT) Anhydrous aminotetra-zole (8.48 g, 0.10 mol) and copper sulfate pentahydrate (0.2 g, 0.8 mmol) were added to a solution of nitric acid (9 mL, 65 %) in distilled water (60 mL). This was added to a pre-cooled solution of sodium nitrite (20.8 g, 0.30 mol) and cupric sulfate pentahydrate (11 g, 0.044 mol) in distilled water (100 mL). The solution was maintained at 15 to 18 °C during the addition by means of a cool water bath. After addition, the solution was stirred for 30 min at the same temperature... 

Recently reported properties of alkali salts of 5-nitrotetrazole are summarized in Table 8.5 [51]. The sodium salt is not stable it forms various hydrates with one to four molecules of water of crystallization [52] in the form of colorless crystals highly soluble in water. Ferrous 5-nitrotetrazole forms a dihydrate (even after drying in vacuo over P2O5) [53]. 

The preparation of the intermediate CTCN is described in inorganic synthesis [46], The second step in the synthesis of BNCP is carried out using the dihydrate of the sodium salt of 5-nitrotetrazole. The raw BNCP is recrystallized to remove impurities that could compromise its performance and stability [38,42,47]. 

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