Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 6
Azido Liquid Explosives
Organic azides are a kind of novel energetic materials with azido group (
N
3
)[
1
],
which are mainly applied in energetic adhesives and energetic plasticizer. Since
1864 numerous studies have been done on the structures, properties, synthesis, and
applications [
2
]. The solvents, molecular bonders, adhesives, plasticizers, oxidants,
and other additives with organic azido groups have their own unique properties, and
play a distinct role in propellants and high explosive energetic materials. The azido
groups improve the energy levels and endue excellent performance of high ener-
getic materials [
3
]. Alkyl azide, triazo-alcohol, triazo-nitrate, triazo-nitrate esters,
and triazo-ethers or ketones are classic azides. Small molecular alkane with two or
more azide groups, and triazo-nitrate esters or triazo-ketones with multiple azide
groups have the most potential applications. This kind of organic azido compounds
have azido groups and nitrate esters. They are a new plasticizer applied in high
explosives and propellants [
4
].
-
6.1 Properties and Application of Azido Liquid
Compounds
6.1.1 Properties of Azido Compounds
(1) Chemical properties
Azido compounds are derivatives of hydrazoic acid (HN
3
). The molecular fea-
ture is that all azido compounds have azido groups. According to the classic
electronegativity proposed by Linus Pauling [
5
], the electronegativity of azido
group is 2.95 and 3.18 [
6
], which is very close to the electronegativity 3.0 of
chlorine. Following the rapid development of modern physical methods in char-
acterization of crystal structures, molecular orbit theory divides azido compounds
into two groups [
7
]. The
first group is the inorganic azides with symmetric azido
groups and ionic bonds in some degree. The second is the organic azido compounds
with covalent bonds.
