Structure hydrazinium nitroformate

Delft University of Technology and the University of Delaware) is hydrazinium nitroformate [N2H5.C (N02)3 Structure (4.2)] a salt of hydrazine (N2H4) and nitro-form or trinitromethane [HC(N02)3], reported to have been discovered in 1951. Of course, this is made without the use of N205. It is prepared as a precipitate [74] by acid-base reaction between nitroform and hydrazine, Equation 4.18. 

Ammonium dinitramide (ADN) and hydrazinium nitroformate (HNF) are potential high performance and eco-friendly replacements for AP in composite propellants and efforts are being made all over the globe in this direction. Similarly, there is a need to study these high performance oxidizers and their salts for pyrotechnic applications. Some groups of researchers have already initiated research in this direction and several alkali dinitramide salts have been synthesized and characterized for their elemental content, solubility, thermal behavior and crystal structures. 

The research into energetic molecules which produce a large amount of gas per unit mass, led to molecular structures which have a high hydrogen to carbon ratio. Examples of these structures are hydrazinium nitroformate (HNF) and ammonium dinitramide (ADN). The majority of the development of HNF has been carried out in The Netherlands whereas the development of ADN has taken place in Russia, USA and Sweden. ADN is a dense non chlorine containing powerful oxidiser and is an interesting candidate for replacing ammonium perchlorate as an oxidiser for composite propellants. ADN is less sensitive to impact than RDX and HMX, but more sensitive to friction and electrostatic spark. 

Fig. 1.19 Molecular structures of ammonium dinitramide (ADN), hydrazinium nitroformate (HNF) and triaminoguanidinium nitroformate (TAGNF).

Figure 2.7 Structure of hydrazinium nitroformate in the crystalline state. Reproduced from Ref [19] Copyright 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmhH c Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

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