Bis-(2-difluoroamino-2,2-dinitroethyl)nitramine – Energetic oxidizer and high explosive

• Bis-(2-difluoramino-2,2-dinitroethyl)nitramine ( 1 ) is synthesized. • 1 has a very high density of 2.032 g cm −3 at 298 K. • Thermochemical and kinetic data is reported. • Specific impulse is improved over standard AP-based formulations. • 1 reaches the detonation performance level of landmark CL-20. There is an urgent demand for novel energetic materials with improved performance to serve as oxygen suppliers (oxidizers) and high-energy additives. Synthesis and characterization of compound that combines both of the above roles, bis-(2-difluoroamino-2,2-dinitroethyl)nitramine ( 1 ), is reported. 1 was synthesized by difluoroamination of bis(2,2-dinitroethyl)nitramine in good yield. The analysis of X-ray diffraction data shows that NF 2 -groups has a significant contribution into a very high density of 1 , 2.032 g cm −3 at 298 K. The positive oxygen balance (+8%) makes it an attractive oxidizer, the rocket specific impulse is improved to 277 s vs 265 s for standard ammonium perchlorate-based formulation. Furthermore, the detonation performance of 1 reaches the level of most powerful explosive, CL-20. As a way to tune the melt-casting temperature and decrease the high friction sensitivity of 1 , its eutectics with trinitrotoluene were proposed.