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ISSN print edition: 0366-6352
ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075
Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7
Published monthly
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Theoretical studies on polynitrobicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes in search of novel high energy density materials
Vikas D. Ghule, Radhakrishnan Sarangapani, Pandurang M. Jadhav, and Surya P. Tewari
Advanced Centre of Research in High Energy Materials (ACRHEM), University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500 046 India
E-mail: ghule.vikas@rediffmail.com
Abstract: Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane is a highly strained hydrocarbon system due to close proximity of nonbonded bridge head carbons. Based on fully optimized molecular geometries at the density functional theory using the B3LYP/6-31G* level, densities, detonation velocities, and pressures for a series of polynitrobicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes, as well as their thermal stabilities were investigated in search for high energy density materials (HEDMs). The designed compounds with more than two nitro groups are characterized by high heat of formation and magnitude correlative with the number and space distance of nitro groups. Density was calculated using the crystal packing calculations and an increase in the number of nitro groups increases the density. The increase in density shows a linear increase in the detonation characteristics. Bond dissociation energy was analyzed to determine thermal stability. Calculations of the bond length and bond dissociation energies of the C-NO2 bond indicate that this may be the possible trigger bond in the pyrolysis mechanism. 1,2,3-Trinitrobicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (S3), 1,2,3,4-tetranitrobicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (S4), and 1,2,3,4,5-pentanitrobicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (S5) have better energetic characteristics with better stability and insensitivity, and as such may be explored in defense applications as promising candidates of the HEDMs series.
Keywords: bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane – HEDM – density functional theory – heat of formation – bond dissociation energy – density
Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.
DOI: 10.2478/s11696-011-0002-9
Chemical Papers 65 (3) 380–388 (2011)
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