High-Energy Salts of 5,5’-Azotetrazole. I. Thermochemistry and Thermal Decomposition

Abstract

Thermal decomposition of disubstituted salts of high-energy 5,5’-azotetrazole (sodium, ammonium, hydrazine, guanidine, aminoguanidine, and triaminoguanidine salts) under isothermal and nonisothermal conditions in solid and liquid phases is studied. The relationship between the basicity and the thermal stability of the 5,5’-azotetrazole salt is demonstrated. The boundary of possible existence of 5,5’-azotetrazole salts in terms of the basicity index pK_a is determined. Gaseous and condensed products of decomposition are analyzed, and a mechanism of thermal decomposition of 5,5’-azotetrazole is proposed. The enthalpies of formation of some 5,5’-azotetrazole salts are determined, and the most reliable values are chosen on the basis of the analysis of the data obtained in the present study and those available in publications.