US EPA

7686822 

Journal Article 

Bis(1,2,4-oxadiazole)bis(methylene) Dinitrate: A High-Energy Melt-Castable Explosive and Energetic Propellant Plasticizing Ingredient 

Johnson, EC; Sabatini, JJ; Chavez, DE; Sausa, RC; Byrd, EFC; Wingard, LA; Guzman, PE; , 

2018 

1 

Organic Process Research and Development
ISSN: 1083-6160 

AMER CHEMICAL SOC 

WASHINGTON 

22 

6 

736-740 

English 

10.1021/acs.oprd.8b00076 

WOS:000435746100007 

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.oprd.8b00076
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Discussed herein is the synthesis of bis(1,2,4-oxadiazole)bis(methylene) dinitrate, determination of its crystal structure by X-ray diffractometry, calculations of its explosive performance, and sensitivity measurements. Steps taken to optimize the synthesis process and to improve yields of the dinitrate are also discussed. Bis(1,2,4-oxadiazole)bis(methylene) dinitrate has a calculated detonation pressure 50% higher than that of TNT. The dinitrate compound exhibits a relatively high decomposition temperature that is rarely observed for nitrate based compounds. The dinitrate was found to have lower sensitivities to impact and friction compared with RDX. It is believed that intramolecular hydrogen bonding observed in the crystal lattice assists in the relatively high thermal stability and relatively low sensitivity of the material.