Preparation, crystal structure, thermal behavior, and theoretical studies of N,N'-dinitro-4, 4′-azo-bis(1,2,4-triazolone) (DNZTO)

N,N'-Dinitro-4,4′-azo-bis(1,2,4-triazolone) (DNZTO) is synthesized by the reaction of 4,4′-azo-bistriazolone (ZTO) with a mixture of nitric acid and acetic anhydride. The product was fully characterized by IR, NMR, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray analysis. The explosive performance including detonation pressures (P), velocities (D) of DNZTO, and heats of formation were predicted using Gaussian 09 at B3LYP/6-311+G∗ ∗.