NTB (explosive)
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bis[2,2-dinitro-2-(5-nitrotetrazol-2-yl)ethyl]nitramide, commonly abbreviated as NTB, is a proposed green energetic compound designed for potential use in advanced applications. Introduced in a 2010 scientific paper,[1] NTB is notable for its theoretical ability to achieve a detonation velocity exceeding 10,000 m/s. However, its high sensitivity and poor thermal stability pose significant challenges for practical implementation.
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| Names | |
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| Preferred IUPAC name
Bis[2,2-dinitro-2-(5-nitrotetrazol-2-yl)ethyl]nitramide | |
| Other names
NTB | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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| Properties | |
| C6H4N16O14 | |
| Molar mass | 524.196 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Off-white solid |
| Density | 2.06 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 65 °C (149 °F; 338 K) (decomposes) |
| Solubility | Soluble in acetone, acetonitrile |
| Hazards | |
| Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
Main hazards |
Explosive compound |
| Explosive data | |
| Shock sensitivity | 0.7 J |
| Friction sensitivity | 6 N |
| Detonation velocity | 10,100 m/s |
| Related compounds | |
Related compounds |
tetrazole bis(2,2,2-trinitroethyl)nitramide |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Background and design
The development of NTB stems from the search for "green" energetic materials—compounds with zero oxygen balance that outperform traditional explosives while potentially offering environmental benefits, such as reduced toxicity or absence of halogens. Researchers focused on molecules with densities exceeding 2.0 g/cm3 to achieve extreme performance metrics, including detonation velocities above 10,000 m/s and detonation pressures over 50 GPa. NTB was designed by combining nitroheterocyclic (specifically 5-nitrotetrazole), dinitromethyl, and nitramide functional groups.[2][3][4] It is structurally analogous to bis(2,2,2-trinitroethyl)nitramide, which has a density of 1.97 g/cm3 in one of its crystal forms.[5] The incorporation of the 5-nitrotetrazole fragment allows NTB to theoretically surpass the density and performance barriers that limit other candidates like [[1,2,3,4]tetrazino[5,6-e][1,2,3,4]tetrazine-1,3,6,8-tetraoxide]] (TTTO), octanitrocubane (ONC), and 4,4'-Dinitro-3,3'-diazenofuroxan (DDF).
Properties
Theoretical calculations indicate that NTB could achieve a detonation velocity of approximately 10,100 m/s at its maximum density, along with a detonation pressure approaching 50 GPa. These values position NTB as superior to leading industrial energetic materials. Despite these advantages, NTB exhibits high mechanical sensitivity and limited thermal stability, which restrict its real-world applicability. The compound's zero oxygen balance contributes to its classification as a CHNO "green" explosive, potentially minimizing environmental impact compared to conventional alternatives.
Challenges
The primary obstacles for NTB are its high sensitivity, which increases handling risks, and poor thermal stability, which could lead to premature decomposition. These issues highlight the trade-offs in designing ultra-high-performance energetic compounds.
See also
- Hexanitrobenzene (HNB)
- Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW)
- HHTDD (Hexanitrohexaazatricyclododecanedione)
