Synthesis and characterization of the mixed-ligand coordination polymer Cu3Cl(N4C-NO2)2

Reduction of copper(II) chloride using sodium ascorbate in the presence of pure sodium 5-nitro-tetrazolate (NaNT) forms copper(I) 5-nitrotetrazolate – a known initiatory explosive (DBX-1) – and the novel mixed-ligand copper(I) chloride 5-nitrotetrazolate coordination polymer Cu3Cl(N4C-NO2)2, as well as mixtures of both. The reaction is controlled by the presence of seed crystals and transition metal compounds other than CuCl2. Cu3Cl(N4C-NO2)2 is obtained as a wine-red, air stable, water-insoluble, crystalline and highly sensitive explosive material with a greater crystal density, lower thermal stability and a higher sensitivity toward hydrolysis and shock than DBX-1. Efforts to obtain the stable and pure starting material are improved by crystallisation of NaNT as a tetrahydrate. Cu3Cl(N4C-NO2)2 and Na(H2O)4(NT) were characterised by single crystal and powder XRD, IR spectroscopy, magnetic and thermal measurements, elemental analysis, particle size measurements, mass spectrometry, and by drop weight testing.