Polynitroaliphatic explosives containing the pentafluorosulfanyl (SF₅) group: The selection and study of a model compound

Abstract

Abstract An investigation concerning the effect of the pentafluoro-sulfanyl (SF5) group on the properties of explosive nitro compounds is described. The investigation includes: (a) the preparation of several polynitro SF5 model compounds; (b) the selection of the best model compound (based on overall properties such as melting point, stability, ease of synthesis, etc.); (c) the subjection of this compound to calorimetric determination of the heat and products of detonation. The initial results from the investigation support the hypothesis that the SF5 group can provide explosives with improved properties (increased density, decreased sensitivity and good thermal stability) as well as produce energy in the detonation.