Synthesis, crystal structure, thermal analysis and sensitivity of mono-ammonium trinitrophloroglucinolate

A new compound of mono-ammonium trinitrophloroglucinolate [NH₄(H₂TNPG), TNPG = Trinitrophloroglucinol] was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum. Its crystal structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal belongs to monoclinic, C2/c space group, a = 9.307(2) Å, b = 21.144(6) Å, c = 9.797(2) Å, β = 99.56(3)°, V = 1901.0(8) ų and Z = 8. The compound is an ionic compound consisting of a cation NH₄⁺ and an anion C₆H₂N₃O₉^-, and it is the mono - substituted salt of TNPG. Since the existence of complicated hydrogen bond networks and electrostatic attraction between NH₄⁺ cation and C₆H₂N₃O₉^- anion, the compound possesses better stability and low sensitivity. The thermal analysis of the compound was studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry thermogravimetry-derivative analysis (TG-DTG). Under nitrogen atmosphere with the heating rate of 10°C·min^-1, the thermal decomposition of the compound show only one intense exothermic decomposition process at 219.2 -234.3°C on the DSC curve, and the decomposition products are nearly all gaseous products. Sensitivity Test revealed that the title compound is very insensitive to external stimuli.