Syntheses, crystal structures, thermal behaviors, and sensitivities of new initiator compositions: Rubidium salts of trinitrophenol and trinitroresorcinol

Three new polymeric Rb(I) salts of trinitrophenol and trinitroresorcinol, rubidium trinitrophenol ([RbTNP]_n), bi-substituted rubidium salt of trinitroresorcinol ([Rb₂TNR·H₂O]_n), and mono-substituted rubidium salt of trinitroresorcinol ([RbHTNR]_n) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, elemental analysis, and IR spectroscopy. The central Rb(I) cations are 10 or 11-coordinated by oxygens from nitro group, phenolic hydroxyl and coordinated water, and the multidentate ligands bridged different Rb(I) centers. Coordination bonds, electrostatic interaction, and intermolecular hydrogen bonds assemble the ions into 3-D polymeric network structures. Thermal decomposition behaviors of the compounds were studied by applying differential scanning calorimetry under various linear heating rates. Sensitivities measurements revealed that these compounds are sensitive to flame, insensitive to impact and friction stimulates. All properties show that the compounds are promising to be an eco-friendly initiating composition, especially [RbTNP]_n.