Two Energetic Salts based on 5,5′-Bitetrazole-1,1′-diolate: Syntheses, Characterization, and Properties

Two salts based on 1H,1′H-5,5′-bitetrazole-1,1′-diolate (BTO) anion with pyrazole (1) and imidazole (2) cations were synthesized with metathesis reactions. Structural characterization was accomplished for them by using the element analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), NMR and mass spectrum, and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Thermal analysis for the title salts were determined by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry-derivative thermogravimetry (TG-DTG) as well as the calculation of non-isothermal kinetic parameters. Consequently, both salts shown acceptable thermal stabilities as the decomposition temperatures were over 200 °C. The enthalpies of formation were calculated for these salts using the measured combustion energies with a result of 70.6 kJ·mol^–1 for 1 and –47.8 kJ·mol^–1 for 2, respectively. Impact and friction sensitivities were also tested and the results indicated that these salts both have low sensitivities (>40 J, 120 N). The title energetic salts possess acceptable performance, they can therefore be applied in the field of energetic materials.