Glyoxime, Diaminofurazan and Some Energetic Derivatives

<center><font size="6">Glyoxime, Diaminofurazan</font>
<font size="4">and some Energetic Derivatives</font></center>



<font size="5">Hydroxylamine Hydrochloride</font>

<img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/hydroxylamine.jpg">

Hydroxylamine can be formed by acid hydrolysis of nitromethane[1] forming the acid salt of hydroxylamine and formic acid.

CH₃NO₂ + HCl + H₂O → NH₂OH.HCl + HCOOH

Hydroxylamine hydrochloride: 61g nitromethane was mixed with 114g 32% hydrochloric acid in a 300ml glass bottle (molar ratio CH3NO2/HCl/H2O 1:1:4.3). The top was screwed on the bottle and it was immersed in an oil bath heated to 100°C (figure 1). The solution was left at this temperature for 24 hours whereby the nitromethane and acid layers formed a homogeneous solution.

<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/hydroxylamine-syn.jpg">
<i>Figure 1: CH3NO2/HCl solution in oil bath (left). NH2OH.HCl crystals (right)</i></center>

The solution was then transfered to a wide mouth beaker and left at the same temperature until evaporated to about 1/3 of its initial volume. On cooling the solution to -5°C hydroxylamine hydrochloride precipitated as large white flakes which were filtered and dried, further concentration and cooling yielded more crystals for a total of 41g (59%).

A similar process to that described above was used but with a molar ratio of 1:1:10, this allowed the solution to be heated in a non-pressurized vessel without significant loss of HCl, plastic film and a rubber band was used to cover the flask containing the solution. The solution was heated for 40 hours at 100°C and concentrated and precipitated as before, yield was 32g (46%).

When heated on a spoon the NH2OH.HCl decomposed energetically with release of white smoke but no flame.


<font size="5">Glyoxime</font>

<img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/glyoxime.jpg">

Glyoxime also known as ethandial dioxime is produced by the condensation of glyoxal with hydroxylamine in slightly acidic solution, the following is an adaptation of the literature method[17].

Glyoxime: 27.5g (0.69mol) sodium hydroxide was dissolved into 75ml water and cooled to 0°C, 69.5g hydroxylamine hydrochloride (1mol) was then added with stirring. To the still chilled solution was then slowly added 72.5g (0.5mol) of 40% glyoxal in 48ml water maintaining temperature below 10°C. The solution was left in the fridge for 15 minutes then removed and allowed to come to room temperature. The solution become solid with precipitate within 1 hour which was scooped out and pressed as dry as possible between absorbent paper, The damp glyoxime was then left sandwiched between 4 sheets of absorbent paper to dry (figure 2), this allowed the salt solution to be wicked out of the glyoxime to deposit the NaCl in the upper layers of paper. The crude yield of glyoxime was 38g (86%). The crude glyoxime was recrystalised from ether to form the most pure product, this was used for the lead and silver salts below.

<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/glyoxime-dry.jpg">
<i>Figure 2: Drying glyoxime</i></center>

The recrystalised glyoxime melts at 178°C with decomposition and ignites easily when touched with the flame of a match, burning mildly with a soft orange flame and faint “hiss”.

<font size="4">Glyoximate Salts</font>

Glyoxime is acidic, and carries the energetic oxime groups, thus is capable of forming salts that may show notable explosive characteristics. Bretherick[2] lists a basic copper salt (HOCuON=CHCH=NOH) which is said to lose weight up to 140°C before exploding.

The silver and lead salts were produced by precipitation of a solution of sodium glyoximate with silver nitrate and lead acetate. These salts were shown to have interesting primary explosive qualities but are unlikely to have, nor were they tested for initiating ability.

Silver glyoximate: Into 2g (23mmol) of glyoxime in 50ml water was added 1.8g (45mmol) of sodium hydroxide to produce a solution of sodium glyoximate. Into this solution was added 3.9g (46mmol) of silver nitrate in 20ml water which resulted in the immediate precipitation of a grayish maroon coloured silver glyoximate, which was filtered and dried out of sunlight. The dried salt was found to darken when exposed to sunlight and flash with a “thump” on ignition (figure 3). Eventually the silver salt exploded by itself when left in direct sunlight.

Lead glyoximate: Lead glyoximate was produced in the same way as the silver salt, except 7.4g (23mmol) of lead acetate was used to precipitate the lead glyoximate as a fine, flocculent white precipitate. The lead salt on ignition exploded with more vehemence then the silver salt, exploding with a loud report in quantities over about 1g (figure 3).

<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/glyoximates.jpg">
<i>Figure 3: Ignition of 0.8g lead glyoximate (top) and 0.5g silver glyoximate (bottom)</i></center>


<font size="5">Nitroglyoxime</font>


<img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/nitroglyoxime.jpg">

The activated hydrogen of glyoxime is capable of reacting with nitric acid containing HNO2[3] or with nitrogen dioxide itself[4] yielding nitroglyoxime, an explosive nitrolic acid.

Nitroglyoxime is too unstable to be of any practical use, it melts at 111°C with decomposition and explodes on further heating[4]. It is soluble in water (decomposed by hot water) alcohol, ether and acetone, very slightly soluble in benzene, more so in boiling benzene. It is insoluble in chloroform and petroleum ether[4].

The basic lead salt of nitroglyoxime (C2H2N3O4.Pb.O.Pb.C2H2N3O4) was first reported by Bamberger[4] as being the yellow precipitate that forms from combining aqueous solutions of nitroglyoxime and lead acetate, and is said to explode when ignited. Bamberger also formed explosive hydrazine, potassium and silver salts.

Nitroglyoxime: 5g glyoxime was dissolved into 150ml diethyl ether, and poured into a 250ml measuring cylinder. Nitrogen dioxide was produced by reacting a piece of copper pipe with 85ml 70% nitric acid, this red gas was piped using PVC tubing into another flask to cool the gas and condense and trap any liquid, and from that flask into the measuring cylinder holding the glyoxime solution (figure 4). The nitrogen dioxide was passed through the solution until the reactor was exhausted. The ether solution was filtered and evaporated in a 1000ml wide form beaker in the sun until dry.

<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/glyoxime-no2.jpg">
<i>Figure 4: Nitroglyoxime apparatus</i></center>


The only product obtained was a yellowish red explosive oil that smelled of nitrogen oxides and flashed when heated on a spoon.

To reclaim any nitroglyoxime that may have been present in the oil, it was poured into an aqueous solution of lead acetate this produced a red solution and a small quantity of yellow precipitate that was filtered and dried. In small quantities the putative lead nitroglyoximate flashed when ignited from a flame (figure 5). Glyoxime itself will not form a precipitate from lead acetate.

<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/nitroglyoximate.jpg">
<i>Figure 5: Ignition of 0.1g putative lead nitroglyoximate</i></center>

The synthesis of nitroglyoxime was also attempted by the action of N2O4 on solid glyoxime, when a stream of NO2 was piped over the glyoxime in an improvised glass condensor cooled by NH4NO3/H2O, the reaction was hypergolic, bursting into flames.

A review article by Riebsomer[6] shows reactions of nitrogen oxides with oximes, which mentions that the oxime/glyoxime groups themselves are open to attack from NO2. For example the primary product of nitrogen dioxide acting on dimethyl, methyl, ethyl methyl and phenyl glyoxime in ether was a glyoxime peroxide containing a R-C=N-O-O-N=C-R ring bound through the carbons. The reactions of glyoxime itself are not mentioned and no references to the glyoxime peroxide structure could be found in recent literature.

<font size="5">Diaminoglyoxime (DAG)</font>

<img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/diaminoglyoxime.jpg">

Diaminoglyoxime also known as oxamidoxime has been prepared by numerous ways, such as from cyanogen and hydroxylamine[15], ammonolysis of dichloroglyoxime diacetate, from dibromofuroxan and ammonia, by the reaction of dithiooxamide (rubeanic acid) with hydroxylamine[23], glyoxime with hydroxylamine[24] but most conveniently in one step through the condensation of glyoxal and hydroxylamine[16] . DAG is soluble in hot water though difficultly soluble in cold water and alcohol[7] so is readily precipitated, and recrystalised from aqueous solution.

Diaminoglyoxime from glyoxime: Into a beaker containing a solution of 20g (0.5mol) sodium hydroxide in 90ml water was added 17.6g (0.2mol) glyoxime. 27.8g (0.4mol) hydroxylamine hydrochloride was then added in one portion. An improvised reflux condenser was added to the beaker (figure 6) and it was heated in an oil bath at 90°C for 6 hours. After the 6 hours the solution was cooled to room temperature which precipitated diaminoglyoxime as small fine needles (figure 7) which were filtered and dried. Yield was 12.2g (51%)


<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/reflux-app.jpg">
<i>Figure 6: Reflux apparatus for glyoxime/glyoxal to diaminoglyoxime condensation</i></center>


<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/dag-glyoxime.jpg">
<i>Figure 7: Precipitate of diaminoglyoxime</i></center>


Diaminoglyoxime from glyoxal: 140g (3.5mol) sodium hydroxide was dissolved into 400ml water, the solution was cooled down to 0°C and 222g (3.2mol) hydroxylamine hydrochloride was added in portions with stirring. To the still cold solution was added 116g (0.8mol) of 40% glyoxal in one portion. The solution was left in the freezer for 10 minutes then placed in an oil bath heated to 90-100°C (figure 6) for 5 hours. After this time a precipitate had formed in the solution, it was taken off the heat and cooled to 0°C. The large crystalline precipitate was filtered, placed in another beaker and enough water was added to make up 400ml of solution. This was boiled to redissolve the DAG then on slow cooling long straw-like crystals formed in the solution (figure 8), these were filtered and dried. Yield after recrystalisation was 38g (40%).


<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/dag-crystals.jpg">
<i>Figure 8: Recrystalisation of diaminoglyoxime</i></center>


<font size="5">3,4-Diaminofurazan (DAF)</font>

<img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/diaminofurazan.jpg">

Diaminofurazan is the precursor to a wide range of energetic substances carrying the furazan ring, furazans have many desirable properties for an energetic material such as its dense planar structure, stabilizing aromatic nature and energetic oxygen in the ring, many furazan derivatives also have a very high heat of formation.

DAF is formed from the base catalysed dehydration and cyclisation of diaminoglyoxime by aqueous sodium[23] or preferably potassium hydroxide[24,18] at 180°C. Recently a convenient microwave mediated synthesis has also been reported[22].

DAF melts at 180°C, decomposes an 240°C and has a density of 1.61g/cm3 [25].

Diaminofurazan: 9g potassium hydroxide was dissolved into 76ml water, then poured over 24g diaminoglyoxime in a stainless steel reactor (figure 9). The reactor was made by welding together stainless steel water pipe fittings and had a capacity of 270ml. The reactor was immersed into oil and heated up to 180°C over 30 minutes and then left for two hours at 170-180°C, after this time the hotplate was then turned off and allowed to cool slowly. On opening the reactor a small amount of pressure was released and the solution smelled strongly of ammonia. A quantity of small white needle like crystals (figure 10) had precipitated which were filtered and dried. Yield was 8.6g (42%) of DAF.


<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/pressurereactor.jpg">
<i>Figure 9: Stainless steel reactor</i></center>


<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/daf-crystals.jpg">
<i>Figure 10: Crystals of 3,4-diaminofurazan in transmitted and reflected light</i></center>


DAF, being a weak base has been shown to form a nitrate salt, however the weakly bound nitric acid is lost when drying under vaccuum[5]. It also will form stable complexes with some metal salts such as with copper nitrate, Cu(DAF)₂(H₂O)₂(NO₃₂ [5].



<font size="5">3,3’-Diamino-4,4’-azoxyfurazan (DAAF)</font>

<img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/diaminoazoxyfurazan.jpg">

While DAAF is yet to find commercial or military use due to limited commercial production, its explosive properties (table 1) show it to be a practical and powerful explosive. DAAF has a relatively high density, low sensitivity to impact and a high velocity of detonation. DAAF also has acceptable thermal stability, melting with decomposition at 249°C[14].

DAAF is formed by the oxidation of DAF by a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and sulphuric acid[9].

3,3’-Diamino-4,4’-azoxyfurazan: Into 15g 50% hydrogen peroxide was added 10g crushed ice, then 14g sulphuric acid was dripped in maintaining temperature below 20°C. This solution was then poured over 2.5g diaminofurazan in a 80ml beaker. The suspension was stirred by use of a drill press, whereby the DAF went into solution imparting a green colour from the formed, soluble nitroso compound. Within an hour the green colour gave way to orange due to a fine precipitate of DAAF (figure 11). The solution was stirred for 9 hours then left for a further 15 for a total of 24 hours. The mixture was then diluted with an equal volume of water, filtered to recover a fine orange crystals (figure 12), washed with 200ml of cold water and dried. Yield after bottling was 1.5g (57%).

<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/daaf-oxidation.jpg">
<i>Figure 11: Colour change during oxidation of DAF to DAAF</i></center>


<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/daaf-crystals.jpg">
<i>Figure 12: Crystals of DAAF</i></center>



<font size="5">3,3’-Dinitro-4,4’-azoxyfurazan (DNAF)</font>

<img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/dinitroazoxyfurazan.jpg">

Further oxidation of amine groups on DAAF results in the extremely powerful explosive 3,3'-dinitroazoxyfurazan. DNAF’s explosive properties rate it as one of the most powerful of the conventional explosives with exceedingly high velocity of detonation, very high heat of formation and good oxygen balance. DNAF is also castable, melting at 110-112°C and boiling at 270°C[18]. However its main fault is its high sensitivity to impact, being neary twice as sensitive as PETN, which would limit practical use. DNAF’s explosive properties are listed in table 1.

The literature methods for DAAF oxidation to DNAF requires ammonium persulphate[18,19] or sodium persulphate[8], with hydrogen peroxide and sulphuric acid, yield was 60%. DNAF can also be formed in by direct oxidation of 3,3’-diamino-4,4’-azofurazan or DAF, but with reduced yield (15% & 4% respectively[18]).

3,3’-Dinitro-4,4’-azoxyfurazan: Into a 250ml conical beaker was added 27.5g 50% hydrogen peroxide diluted with 17.5ml water it was then chilled to 5°C. 30g ammonium persulphate was then dissolved into the peroxide solution and left to cool in the freezer. Another solution was made by dissolving 2.5g DAAF into 32g 98% sulphuric acid and was slowly added to the cooled peroxide solution maintaining the temperature below 20°C, on addition the DAAF precipitated as a very fine orange suspension. The beaker was then placed in an oil bath heated to 40°C and stirred by use of a drill press (figure 13). Good stirring must be used to churn the foam that is created during the oxidation. This was maintained for 8 hours whereby the orange solution turned bright yellow. The solution was then drowned in 200ml ice cold water and filtered, flushed with more water then dissolved into 150ml dichloromethane, the DCM solution was then washed with dilute sodium bicarbonate/water solution. The Yellow DCM solution was then separated and evaporated to yield yellow crystals of DNAF (figure 13). Yield was 1.3g (40%).


<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/dnaf-oxi.jpg">
<i>Figure 13: Oxidation of DAAF to DNAF (left); DNAF crystals (right)</i></center>


<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/dnaf-lead.jpg">
<i>Figure 14: DNAF & PETN detonated against lead block</i></center>


<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/dnaf-ignite.jpg">
<i>Figure 15: Ignition of DNAF</i></center>


The DNAF was pressed into a drinking straw, taped to a lead block, buried under sand and detonated. PETN detonating cord was used for comparison (figure 14). When touched with a match DNAF will melt then ignite and burn vigorously with a luminous smokeless flame (figure 15).

<font size="5">3-amino-3’-azido-4,4’-azoxyfurazan (AAAF)</font>

<img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/aminoazidoazoxyfurazan.jpg">

DAAF, being a basic, aromatic primary amine is open to diazotisation and subsequent reactions. The azido and diazido derivative of DAF is known to the literature[18,21]. DAAF like DAF has only weakly basic properties thus diazotisation must be carried out in nitrosylsulphuric acid, and the formed diazonium sulphate salt of these furazans is not stable enough to be isolated[20]. AAAF is formed by reacting a 3-amino-4,4’-azoxyfurazan-3‘-diazonium sulphate solution with sodium azide[18].

2H₂SO₄ + NaNO₂ → NO.HSO₄ + NaHSO₄ + H₂O
NO.HSO₄ + Fz-NH₂ → [Fz-NH-NO] → [Fz-N≡N.OH] → Fz-N≡N.HSO₄ + H₂O
Fz-N≡N.HSO₄ + NaN₃ → Fz-N=N=N + NaHSO₄ + N₂

The substitution of one amino group with an azido group greatly increases the energetic potential of DAAF with AAAF having calculated explosive properties similar to that of HNIW (table 1). The crude un-neutralized product on drying turned from light yellow to orange, and flashed on ignition by flame (figure 16).

3-amino-3’-azidoazoxyfurazan: 1g (15 mmol) sodium nitrite was dissolved in 28g 98% sulphuric acid and combined with a solution of 1.1g (5 mmol) DAAF in 18g 98% sulphuric acid while keeping temperature at 0-5C. Maintaining the temperature at 0-5°C the combined solution was diluted with 26g glacial acetic acid, then with good cooling was treated with 1g (15 mmol) sodium azide in 20g water drop by drop over 30 minutes, not letting the temperature rise over 5°C. On addition of the sodium azide the solution foamed with release of nitrogen and turned from dark orange to light yellow. The solution was then left for a further 15 minutes then drowned in 300ml cold water. A light yellow precipitate of AAAF was filtered, flushed with water and dried. Yield was 0.6g.

<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/aaaf-ignite.jpg">
<i>Figure 16: Ignition of AAAF</i></center>


<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/explosive-props.jpg"></center>


<font size="3">References</font>

1] Pratorius-Seidler, G. “<i>Zur Kenntniss des Cyanamids</i>” Journal für praktische Chemie, 21, 129-150 (1880)

2] Urben, Peter (editor: Leslie Bretherick). "<i>Bretherick’s Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards"</i>. 5th ed. vol. 1, 0799. Butterworth-Heinemann, 1999.

3] E. Bamberger & U. Suzuki, “<i>Űber Nitro-Glyoxim</i>” Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft, 45, 2740-2758, (1912)

4] Fedoroff, B. et al. “<i>Encyclopedia of Explosives and Related Items</i>“. vol. 6 pg. G119. (1974)

5] C. E. Stoner et. al., “<i>Thermal Decomposition of Energetic Materials. 48. Structures and Decomposition Mechanisms of Copper (II) Complexes of Furazans ( 1,2,5-Oxadiazoles)</i>”. Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 30, 360-364, 1991.

6] J. L Riebsomer, “<i>The Reactions of Nitrogen Tetroxide with Organic Compounds</i>”, Chemical Reviews, 36, 157-233, 1945.

7]Banks, C & Voter, R. “<i>Water-Soluble 1,2-Dioximes as Analytical Reagents</i>” Analytical Chemistry.; 21(11); 1320-1323 (1949)

8] Cannizzo, L. Hamilton, R. Highsmith, T. "<i>Furazan-Based Energetic Ingredients</i>". Thiokol Propulsion, Brigham City. USA. (1999)

9] Hiskey, M. et. al. "<i>Use of 3,3'-diamino-4,4'-azoxyfurazan and 3,3'-diamino-4,4’-azofurazan as insensitive high explosive materials</i>". US patent #6358339 (2002)

10] Sheremetev, A. et al. "<i>Dinitro Trifurazans with Oxy, Azo and Azoxy Bridges</i>". PEP, 23, pg. 142-149. (1998)

11] Zelenin, A., Stevens, E. and Trudell, M. "<i>Synthesis and structure of 4-[(4-nitro-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-YL)-NNO-azoxyl]-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-amine</i>" Office of Naval Research, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (1996).

12] Nielsen, A. "<i>Caged polynitramine compound</i>" US patent #5693794 (1997)

13] Dobratz, B and Crawford, P. "<i>LLNL Explosives Handbook - Properties of Chemical Explosives and Explosive Simulants</i>" Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. California. (1985)

14] Beal, R & Brill, T. "<i>Thermal Decomposition of Energetic Materials 77. Behavior of N-N Bridged Bifurazan Compounds on Slow and Fast Heating</i>" PEP, 25, 241-246 (2000)

15] Barham, D. et. al. “<i>The Structure of Amidoximes. II. Oxamidoxime</i>” Journal of Organic Chemistry.; 1963; 28(1); 134-136.

16] Trudell, M & Zelenin, A. “<i>A Two Step Synthesis of Diaminofurazan and Synthesis of N-Monoarylmethyl and N,N’-Diarylmethyl Derivatives</i>” Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry, 34, 1057 (1997)

17] Michelman, J & Olofson, R. “<i>Furazan</i>” Journal of Organic Chemistry, 30(6), 1854-1859 (1965)

18] Boyer, J., Gunasekaran, A. & Trudell, M. "<i>Dense Energetic Compounds of C, H, N, and O Atoms. IV. Nitro and Azidofurazan derivatives</i>" Heteroatom Chemistry. 5 [5/6], 441 (1999)

19] Beal, R. “<i>Structures and Chemistry of Amino and Nitro Furazans</i>” Thesis, University of Delaware (2000)

20] Rakitin, O. et. al. “<i>Synthesis and reactivity of furazanyl- and furoxanyldiazonium salts</i>” Russian Chemical Bulletin, 42, No. 11, 1865-1870 (1993)

21] Tselinskii, I; Mel'nikova, S; and Vergizov, S; Zh.. Org. Khim., 17, 1123 (1981) [“<i>Azido Furazans in the Synthesis of Condensed Systems</i>” Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry., 17 (1981) (Engl. Transl.)].

22] Kusurkar, R. et. al. “<i>Microwave mediated fast synthesis of diaminoglyoxime and 3,4-diaminofurazan: key synthons for the synthesis of high energy density materials</i>”. Journal of Chemical Research, April, 245-247 (2005)

23] Boyer, J. and Gunasekaran, A. “<i>Dense Energetic Compounds of C, H, N, and 0 Atoms. III. 5-[4-Nitro-(1,2,5) oxadiazolyl]-5H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-c][1,2,5]oxdiazole</i>” Heteroatom Chemistry 4[5], 521-524. (1993)

24] Gunasekaran, A.; Jayachandran, T.; Boyer, J. & Trudell M. “<i>A Convenient Synthesis of Diaminoglyoxime and Diaminofurazan: Useful Precursors for the Synthesis of High Density Energetic Materials</i>”. Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry, 32, 1405-1407, (1995)

25] Sheremetev, A. et. al. “<i>Furazan Derivatives,: High Energetic Materials From Diaminofurazan</i>”. Proceedings of 22nd International Pyrotechnics Seminar. Fort Collins, Colorado. 377-388. (1996)

Thanks goes to Chris the Great for sourcing 8, 11, 19 and 24. Also thanks to Chemoleo for translating 1 and 3.


[Edited on 19-5-2006 by Axt]

This is just beautiful! Excellent work Axt!
Can't wait to get to try these myself!

Would it be possible to get those references uploaded somewhere, or are they mostly paper copies?

Wow! Looks like you've beaten me to making DNAF (for those not in the know, I've done a very large amount of research into these compounds as well, but have no glyoxime so the synth has been delayed)... that's ok though, this was the most interesting read I've had in a while. It would help to rotate your table at the end the right way though, it's hard to read when sideways.

Great job

Did you ever try the microwave synth of DAG again? Or try casting the DNAF? I'd really like to see what effect the cast stuff has on the lead block... though you probably used it all up already.

Also, there are alternate methods of oxidation, I have a refference sitting right in front of me... but my scanner is not working at the moment. It has a large amount of information on it. The ref is
Tat'yana S. Novikova et al (couldn't be bothered to type all ten names) An Effective Method for the Oxidation of Aminofurazans to Nitrofurazans, Mendeleev Communications, 1994, pg 138-140

nice text Axt!

Thanks for writing this

In the table, TNT should be C₇H₅N₃O₆ not C₇H₅N₅O₆, my fault

I cant see anything else. Yeh, I copied & pasted from ms works which caused some funny things to happen. Should have used notepad. I could just keep adding things but that'd just annoy you Like..

Just found that silver complexes of DAF are relatively insoluble, combining AgNO3 & DAF solutions produce immediate precipitate, but its deflags not very energetically. The bromate complex was also formed by stirring AgBrO3 suspension in aqueous DAF for 30 minutes, the bromate flashes on ignition but is unlikely to have initiating properties. The complex was not as energetic as the that of ethylenediamine, which readily detonates. Perhaps I should have stirred it in longer or thats its Ag(DAF)2BrO3 not Ag(DAF)BrO3 that I was expecting. I'll try mixing the soluble diamine complex with DAF, hopefully getting a precipitate.

[Edited on 22-5-2006 by Axt]

I tried to form a peroxidic product of Diaminofurazan by condensing it with formaldehyde & H2O2. It did work, the product was quite feebly explosive but that was expected. Structure unknown but expected to be analogous to that of urea, thus empirically C4H6N4O3. On ignition it resembled the deflagration of nitrostarch with a large soft orange flame, leaving some black residue.

<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/daf-formaldehyde-peroxide.jpg"></center>

<i>Experimental</i>: 2g (0.02mol) DAF was dissolved into 50ml water containing 1.8g (0.04mol) 70% HNO3 at 60°C. The solution was allowed to cool to 38°C. A solution containing 2.8g (0.04mol) 50% H2O2 and 3.0g (0.04mol) 40% formaldehyde was added to the DAF solution in one portion. A slight exotherm resulted raising temperature to 42°C and a precipitate quickly formed. The solution was left for 2 days at room temperature then filtered to recover 2.4g of a fine white powder. 75% yield based on C4H6N4O3.


Other things tried, Ag(DAF)ClO2 was less energetic then the bromate complex. Also tried condensing DAF with glyoxal then treating the acid solution with NaNO2 hoping to get nitroso analogue of CL-15. I just got a lot of gassing and a very small quantity of precipitate, I did it at room temperature, should have cooled it. CL-15 is a very high performace explosive though thermally unstable, decomposing at room temp. 9600ms @ 2.0g/cm3. Its possible the nitroso analogue wouldnt exist long either.

Attaching article on hypochlorite oxidation of DAF, difurazano[c,g]-1,2,5,6-tetrazocine would be interesting, heat of formation considerably higher then DAAF, possibly higher density and OB is no worse. And it looks attractive

<center><img src="http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/axt/difurazanotetrazocene.jpg"></center>

Its "tetramer" also mentioned in the article. Has (calc.?)properties, mp: 210°C, density: 1.8g/cm3, Hf: 1075kcal/kg, VOD: 8900ms. 22nd Int. Pyro. Sem. pg. 377 (1996)

[Edited on 16-9-2006 by Axt]

Attachment: hypohalites as reagents for the macrocyclization of diamines of the furazan series.pdf (965kB)
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Have nothing constructive to add to the thread since I know nothing about explosives - just want to greet Axt for such great experimentalism, keep rocking!



[Edited on 2-11-2006 by Sandmeyer]

I have one question. Can i use 30% H2O2 instead of 50% H2O2 and ice

Quote:

Originally posted by NUKE I have one question. Can i use 30% H2O2 instead of 50% H2O2 and ice

If you follow the reference given (<a href="http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6358339.pdf">US6358339</a> you will see that the original patent process did use 30% H2O2, I just used ice to replicate the concentration used in the patented procedure and prevent it boiling on addition of the H2SO4.

[Edited on 21-11-2006 by Axt]

More on difurazano[c,g]-1,2,5,6-tetrazocine and another use for TCCA. Though the journal volumes too old to be available online.

Heres one you may be interested in Engager, noting your post in "Announcements of Articles in Progress" thread. I believe your russian correct? a translation of the russian patent would be good, or at least the poreparation part. I'm sure what yet, but dichloroglyoxime must have many interesting derivatives. The needed reagents look very nice, definately beats the use of Cl2.

Yes I have been hammering scifinder of late heh.

[Edited on 24-5-2008 by Axt]

Arr your right, from the patent.

Dichloroglyoxime (HON:CClCCl:NOH), useful as an intermediate for functionalized glyoxime derivs. and also for heterocyclic compds. (no data), is prepd. from glyoxime (HON:CHCH:NOH) and hydrochloric acid by dosing concd. HCl and perhydrol (H2O2) simultaneously and proportionally with stirring into a suspension of glyoxime in a concd. aq. soln. of CaCl2 in molar ratios of glyoxime : HCl : H2O2 = 1.02.0-2.4)2.2-2.4), resp., at wt. ratios of the total amt. of H2O and CaCl2 = (1.2-2.8):1.0 and at 15-25. In examples given, dichloroglyoxime is prepd. in yields of 81-98%. Thus, a suspension of 88 parts (all parts given by wt.) of glyoxime in a soln. of 188 parts CaCl2 in 226 parts H2O is dosed with a soln. of 119 parts CaCl2 in 223 parts 36% aq. HCl and a soln. of 145 parts CaCl2 in 250 parts 30% aq. H2O2 at 15-25, after which the reaction mixt. is held at 18-20 for 30 min, then filtered and the crystals obtained are washed with H2O and dried to afford 98% dichloroglyoxime.

Heres the furazan references again as requested. http://rapidshare.com/files/128717968/furazan-refs.zip.html

The ref file is corrupted.

The italian procedure to dichloroglyoxime is: (translated)
5g of glyoxime are dissolved in 150mL of 10% HCl and cooled in an ice bath. Chlorine is bubbled through until the yellow colour just persists and the solution is allowed to sit 12 during which time the solution crystalizes. Dichloroglyoxime is isolated as white crystals.(nothing crystalized for me! )

Also, the russian patent dident give the yields they stated on small scale, and its a royal pain saturating everything with calcium chloride. No confirmation on product identity yet.



[Edited on 11-7-2008 by The_Davster]



[Edited on 19-7-2008 by The_Davster]

No reference to this conversion was given, nor to the preparation of the hydrazo compound. I have been unable to find any references on these points. Is this compound made from DAF? Or is it made from DAAF via reduction of the N-oxide & azo group?

On page 3 additional interesting info is given on reagents that have been successfully used to oxidize hydrazo functions to azo groups: Br2, MnO2, HgO, HNO2 & NO2. I'll add Cl2 to that list.

[Edited on 10-8-2008 by Ritter]

Many thanks!

In the attached ChemDraw graphic I reverted to their hybrid IUPAC/CAS nomenclature as the program didn't like the 'furazan' system name for DAAF.



[Edited on 10-8-2008 by Ritter]

It's been a few years since this thread was made. I think it might be good to update it with some newer information. A method for diaminofurazan, where a yield is described is in US 20090137816 which came out just a few years after the thread. It doesn't use a pressure reactor, but a fluid medium at atmospheric pressure. DNAF also has an experimentally measured D. of 10.0 km/s at p= 2.02g/cc, this rate being an extrapolated value of the crystal density from a measured detonation rate (ref.: DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2004.04.003). Another interesting very powerful compound, related in the series is the hydroxylamine salt of 3-nitramino-4-nitrofurazan (HANNF). The ammonium salt (ANNF) is also not far behind.

Attachment: US20090137816.pdf (22kB)
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Quote: Originally posted by Formatik

Another interesting very powerful compound is the hydroxylamine salt of 3-nitramino-4-nitrofurazan (HANNF).

Hi Axt, I used your procedure when making diaminofurazan. Was quicker to google your procedure than look it up in the literature
It gives nice big crystals! I took a photo and it is here: http://www.explosci.com/diaminofurazan-crystals/

I have recently attempted to synthesis diaminoglyoxime via both methods outlined by Axt. I got slightly lower yields than reported by Axt but still reasonable. The only issue is that even after recrystallisation that prepared via the glyoxime intermediate was straw coloured while that prepared from glyoxal in a single step was almost white. Has anyone else done either preparation and has any comments. I have yet to characterise either material via melting point but I wondered if the later was mainly glyoxime.






By the way how the hell do you get images to display at a reasonable size instead of a poxy thumbnail. Some posters seem to be able to make their image fill the available column width?

[Edited on 10-4-2013 by Boffis]

I recently tried the preparation of DAF via the direct Chinese route outlined in the references given by Dany above. I used 2/5 of the quantities but otherwise tried to follow the procedure to the letter. This is easier said than done as after the removal of a proportion of the water a white ammoniacal smelling sublimate started to accumulate in the reflux condenser. At first I simply pushed it down into the flask with a glass rod but over time the sublimate became harder and I could no longer dislodge it. After 4 hours refluxing I had to stop the reflux and rinse the condenser, a white crystalline ppt had started to form by this time. After another 8 hours refluxing I cooled the flask in the fridge and filtered off the now yellowish heterogeneous product; 2.24g.

I recrystallized it from 18ml of water (very slightly less than the 20ml suggested) and obtained 0.652g of pale straw yellow prisms. Mp determination gave Mp 207-208 C rather higher than that given for DAF (180-181 C) and closer to, though somewhat higher than, that given for diaminoglyoxime (200-204 C). I tested the product with ammoniacal nickel acetate solution and obtained a brick red ppt that is characteristic of DAG, I don't know how DAF would react with this reagent (its the reason I am trying to prepare it!) but in all probability I have simply prepared DAG by a more complex route!



The crude product; note the heterogeneous nature



The recrystallized product Diaminoglyoxime?

[Edited on 16-1-2015 by Boffis]

Quote: Originally posted by Axt

Arr your right, from the patent. Dichloroglyoxime (HON:CClCCl:NOH), useful as an intermediate for functionalized glyoxime derivs. and also for heterocyclic compds. (no data), is prepd. from glyoxime (HON:CHCH:NOH) and hydrochloric acid by dosing concd. HCl and perhydrol (H2O2) simultaneously and proportionally with stirring into a suspension of glyoxime in a concd. aq. soln. of CaCl2 in molar ratios of glyoxime : HCl : H2O2 = 1.02.0-2.4)2.2-2.4), resp., at wt. ratios of the total amt. of H2O and CaCl2 = (1.2-2.8):1.0 and at 15-25. In examples given, dichloroglyoxime is prepd. in yields of 81-98%. Thus, a suspension of 88 parts (all parts given by wt.) of glyoxime in a soln. of 188 parts CaCl2 in 226 parts H2O is dosed with a soln. of 119 parts CaCl2 in 223 parts 36% aq. HCl and a soln. of 145 parts CaCl2 in 250 parts 30% aq. H2O2 at 15-25, after which the reaction mixt. is held at 18-20 for 30 min, then filtered and the crystals obtained are washed with H2O and dried to afford 98% dichloroglyoxime. Heres the furazan references again as requested. http://rapidshare.com/files/128717968/furazan-refs.zip.html