The solubility of ε-CL-20 was assessed in 12 organic solvents by the equilibrium method at temperatures ranging from 278.15 to 318.15 K and 0.1 MPa. The order of the solubility of ε-CL-20 was ethyl acetate > butyl acetate > triethyl-orthoformate > methanol > ethanol > propanol > 1-butanol > isopropyl alcohol > m-xylene > chloroform > toluene > cyclohexane. The modified Apelblat equation was used to correlate the experimental solubility values at these temperatures in these solvents and the results showed good agreement with the experimental values.

The kinetics of the nitration reaction of 2,6,8,12-tetraacetyl-4,10-dinitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (TADN) in HNO3–H2SO4 nitrating agent has been studied. The reaction network of the nitration reaction is constructed according to analysis of the experimental results. A kinetics model is introduced and the kinetics parameters are estimated by data fitting. Statistical analysis verifies that the kinetics model is in good agreement with the experimental data. Therefore, the reaction kinetics model can be applied to process analysis and scale-up of nitration of TADN to 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW).Keywords: CL-20; complex reaction; kinetics model; nitration; TADN;

Synthesis of 2,6,8,12-tetraacetyl-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (TAIW) by catalytic hydrogenolysis of 2,6,8,12-tetraacetyl-4,10-dibenzyl-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (TADBIW), a key step for the synthesis of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW), has been first implemented under continuous flow conditions using the commercially available H-Cube Pro reactor. Several variables (i.e., reaction temperature, flow rate, and pressure) and the stability of the system have been investigated to optimize the operating conditions. The results show that a continuous flow system provides a better yield than a batch system. For instance, the yield is 99% at the optimized conditions, while the best yield from batch reactions is 92%. Continuous flow synthesis of TAIW has potential applications in improving the production technologies of HNIW for its many advantages over batch reactions.

Formyl azido substituted nitro hexaazaisowurtzitane derivatives, 2,4,6,8,12-pentanitro-10-formylazido-hexaazaisowurtzitane and 2,6,8,12-tetranitro-4,10-diformylazido-hexaazaisowurtzitane, have been synthesized and well characterized by IR and NMR (1H, 13C) spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy (MS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Their key properties such as melting points and decomposition temperatures, densities, dissociation energy of bonds (BDE), electrostatic potential (ESP), impact sensitivity (IS), detonation pressures (P) and velocities (D) were measured or calculated, which indicated an excellent combination of admirable detonation performance and stability as potential energetic compounds.

A series of trinitromethyl/trinitroethyl substituted derivatives of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5,5,0, 03.11,05.9] dodecane (CL-20) were designed and investigated by theoretical methods. Intramolecular interactions between the trinitromethyl/trinitroethyl and the cage were investigated. The effects of trinitromethyl/trinitroethyl groups on stability of the parent compound are discussed. The results reveal a mutual influence of bond length and dihedral angle between the trinitromethyl and the cage. Compared to CL-20, the sensitivity of derivatives is barely affected. Properties such as density, heat of formation and detonation performance of these novel compounds were also predicted. The introduction of the trinitromethyl group can significantly enhance the oxygen balance, density and detonation properties of the parent compound. The remarkable energy properties make these novel cage compounds competitive high energy density materials.