4696. Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane

Nomenclature

CAS number: 135285-90-4
Octahydro-1,3,4,7,8,10-hexanitro-5,2,6-(iminomethenimino)-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazine; CL-20; HNIW; 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0.05,9.03,11]dodecane.
C6H6N12O12; mol wt 438.19.
C 16.45%, H 1.38%, N 38.36%, O 43.81%.

Description and references

Symmetric polyazacyclic nitramine explosive. Polymorphs α, β, γ, ε, ζ have been identified and confirmed by x-ray diffraction or IR techniques. A sixth polymorph δ has been identified, but not confirmed. First synthesized by A. T. Nielsen in 1987; modified by R. Wardle and J. C. Hinshaw. Gas phase dissociation: R. J. Doyle, Jr., Org. Mass Spectrom. 26, 723 (1991). EPR spectra: M. D. Pace, J. Phys. Chem. 95, 5858 (1991). Identification of δ polymorph by high-pressure phase transition and verification of ζ by ir: T. P. Russell et al., ibid. 96, 5509 (1992). Pressure-temperature phase diagrams: eidem, ibid. 97, 1993 (1993). Thermal decomposition: J. C. Oxley et al., ibid. 98, 7004 (1994). High-pressure/thermal shock matrix isolation deflagration and detonation study: J. K. Rice, T. P. Russell, Chem. Phys. Lett. 234, 195 (1995). Review: S. Borman, Chem. Eng. News 72, 18-22 (Jan. 17, 1994).

Chemical structure

Properties

Explosive. Crystalline.

Use

Rocket propellants. Munitions. Construction or demolition explosive.