Development of high explosives over time has generally led to increases in brisance (shattering potential) through increases in physical density and oxygen balance. However, measures of brisance of state of the art explosives over time shows a tapering off, suggesting a theoretical ceiling for CHNO materials is being approached. We demonstrate that the inclusion of highly oxidizing elements (e.g., Cl<sup>VII</sup>) covalently bonded to energetic molecules through manganese-metal-based coordinate covalent bonds leads to nitrogen-rich Mn clusters with significant improvements in energy density. These findings are contrary to traditional thinking that the inclusion of heavier elements (such as Mn or Cl) should dilute energy content. Synthesis of N-rich metal clusters and characterization by X-ray diffraction and calorimetry is presented.

Breaching the “CHNO ceiling” in energetic materials by the inclusion of redox-frustrated inorganic elements.

255th National Meeting (2018)

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