Energetic heterocyclic N-oxides: synthesis and performance

Novel synthetic strategies toward construction and functionalization of nitrogen-rich energetic compounds bearing at least one heterocyclic N-oxide scaffold are briefly overviewed. The present focus review summarizes main recent advances (published in the period 2017–2022) in the chemistry of five- and six-membered heterocyclic N-oxides as well as their linear combinations and fused bi-, tri- and tetraheterocyclic frameworks which are of paramount importance for the development of next-generation energetic materials. Physicochemical properties along with detonation performance and mechanical sensitivities of the reported high-energy substances are discussed and their application potential is especially emphasized.