The Unique Synthesis of a Green Metal‐Free Primary Explosive: 3,3′‐azo‐5,5′‐diazido‐1,2,4‐triazole

The unique synthesis of 3‐azido‐5‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 1 ) and a possible reaction process were described. The target compound 3,3′‐azo‐5,5′‐diazido‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 2 ) was obtained by further coupling reaction of compound 1 with potassium permanganate. Compound 2 was well characterized by NMR spectra, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The sensitivities towards impact and friction of 2 were characterized by BAM Fallhammer and BAM Friction. Compound 2 exhibited good density (1.68 g cm −3 ), good thermal stability (193 °C), high heat of formation (1345.1 kJ mol −1 /5.468 kJ g −1 ), excellent detonation performance (26.7 GPa, 8345 m s −1 ) and acceptable sensitivity (IS=6 J, FS=72 N, EDS=0.224 J). Moreover, compound 2 was tested for its priming ability by detonating RDX. The result indicates that compound 2 could be used as a potential green metal‐free primary explosive.