Integration of Carbonyl Groups with 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles: A Heat-Resistant Energetic Compound with Well-Balanced Performance via Heterocycle Transformation

The exceptional combination of high density and superior thermal stability renders ketone-based energetic compounds particularly attractive for heat-resistant explosives. While extensive research has demonstrated successful carbonyl functionalization of azoles, such as pyrazoles, triazoles, 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, and imidazoles, the potential of carbonyl-substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole systems has surprisingly never been explored in energetic materials. In this study, the tetrazole-based energetic material 2,2′-bis(dinitromethyl)-2H,2′H-5,5′-bitetrazole (BDNBT) reacted with nitrosulfur mixed acid, successfully yielding the ketone-based energetic compound [2,2′-bi(1,3,4-oxadiazole)]-5,5′(4H,4′H)-dione (OXO-9) featuring a bis(1,3,4-oxadiazole) skeleton. OXO-9 demonstrates balanced overall properties. It exhibits a high density of 1.91 g cm–3 and superior detonation performance (Dv = 8283 m s–1 and P = 29.3 GPa) comparable to HNS (Dv = 7612 m s–1 and P = 24.3 GPa). Additionally, it possesses a high decomposition temperature (Td = 317 °C) similar to that of HNS (Td = 318 °C), while its impact sensitivity (IS = 32 J) is lower than that of TNT (IS = 15 J). This work demonstrates a strategic transformation from tetrazole to 1,3,4-oxadiazole, offering new synthetic routes in heterocyclic chemistry for energetic materials. Significantly, the synthesis of OXO-9 provides a theoretical foundation for future exploration of diverse nitrogen heterocycle transformations.