1-Methyl-5-Nitrotetrazole and 2-Methyl-5-Nitrotetrazole. Part 1. Synthesis, Characterisation and Detection, and Molecular Complex

摘要

The preparation of two novel castable primary explosives, 1-methyl-5-nitrotetrazole (1) and 2-methyl-5-nitrotetrazole (2), is described. Both are prepared from tetrazol-5-amine monohydrate (3). The only practical synthesis of (1) is methylation of (3) to 1-methyltetrazol-5-amine (5) and 2-methyltetrazol-5-amine (6), followed by separation and diazotization of (5) in the presence of excess nitrite. Although (2) can be prepared similarly from (6), the route via sodium 5-nitrotetrazole dihydrate (4) is preferable both for yield and ease of purification. This latter reaction also produces (1) but crystallisation yields only (2) and a second product which has been shown not to be (1), as previously reported, but a 1:1 complex of (1) and (2). Some initial data relating to the nature of the complex are described. (1) and (2) have been characterised spectroscopically and chromatographically, and methods for their qualitative and quantitative detection are described. (Author)