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Title: Examining the Chemical and Structural Properties that Influence the Sensitivity of Energetic Nitrate Esters

Journal Article · · Chemical Science
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/C8SC00903A· OSTI ID:1430013

The sensitivity of explosives is controlled by factors that span from intrinsic chemical reactivity and chemical intramolecular effects to mesoscale structure and defects, and has been a topic of extensive study for over 50 years. Due to these complex competing chemical and physical elements, a unifying relationship between molecular framework, crystal structure, and sensitivity has yet to be developed. In order to move towards this goal, ideally experimental studies should be performed on systems with small, systematic structural modifications, with modeling utilized to interpret experimental results. Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is a common nitrate ester explosive that has been widely studied due to its use in military and commercial explosives. We have synthesized PETN derivatives with modified sensitivity characteristics by substituting the CCH2ONO2 moiety with other substituents, including CH, CNH2, CNH3X, CCH3, and PO. We relate the handling sensitivity properties of each PETN derivative to its structural properties, and discuss the potential roles of thermodynamic properties such as heat capacity and heat of formation, thermal stability, crystal structure, compressibility, and inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding on impact sensitivity. Reactive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the C/H/N/O-based PETN-derivatives have been performed under cook-off conditions that mimic those accessed in impact tests. As a result, these simulations infer how changes in chemistry affect the subsequent decomposition pathways.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
1430013
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-17-29886
Journal Information:
Chemical Science, Vol. 9; ISSN 2041-6520
Publisher:
Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 35 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (3)

Parallel replica dynamics simulations of reactions in shock compressed liquid benzene journal June 2019
Probing ultrafast shock-induced chemistry in liquids using broad-band mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy journal May 2019
Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium salts: Their properties, hazards and toxicities journal November 2019


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