Electrochemical Preparation of Hexanitrostilbene (HNS) From Hexanitrobibenzyl (HNBB)

摘要

The development of an electrochemical synthesis for the explosive hexanitrostilbene (HNS) from hexanitrobibenzyl (HNBB) is described. A tertiary amine first removes two protons from HNBB; the resulting dianionic species is then electrolyzed at an inert electrode to produce HNS. The characterization of the chemistry and electrochemistry in this transformation is presented, and the properties of the species involved are compared with those of related molecules. Liquid Chromatography shows that the above synthetic procedure produces HNS with no observed side products and in virtually quantitative yield. The potential for scale-up to a manufacturing process is discussed. 19 refs., 6 figs. (ERA citation 12:004489)