Synthesis, characterization and properties of nitrogen-rich salts of trinitrophloroglucinol

Five different nitrogen-rich salts of trinitrophloroglucinol (H₃TNPG) have been prepared by the reaction of ammonia, aminoguanidine (AG), carbohydrazide (CHZ), semicarbazide (SCZ) and 5-aminotetrazo (ATZ) with trinitrophloroglucinol in aqueous solution through the heating method of water bath, with the yield up to 80%. These salts were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, DSC and TG-DTG techniques. Their melting temperature is consistent with the thermal decomposition temperature. Their thermal decomposition process and kinetic parameters from 323 to 673 K were investigated under a linear heating rate by DSC. The thermal decomposition of these salts undergoes an intensive exothermic decomposition stage to evolve abundant gas products and the enthalpies of exothermic decomposition reaction are high. The tests of sensitivity properties show these salts are insensitivity. All the properties of five nitrogen-rich salts appeared to depend on molecule structures and interconnection. It can be concluded that the five compounds are worthy of further in-depth studies as the gas-generating composition, emission reagents and propellants.