Energetic Nitrogen-Rich Cu(II) and Cd(II) 5,5′-Azobis(tetrazolate) Complexes

Copper(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of 5,5′-azobis(tetrazolate) (ABT) were synthesized at ambient temperature. The anhydrous copper(II) and cadmium(II) salts (1) and (3) are very impact sensitive. The energetic copper(II) and cadmium(II) ABT coordination complexes, tetraammine copper 5,5′-azobis(tetrazolate) dihydrate [Cu(NH3)4]ABT(H2O)2 (2) and diammine dihydrate cadmium 5,5′-azobis(tetrazolate) [Cd(NH3)2(H2O)2]ABT (4) were prepared and then structured by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Their vibrational spectra (IR) were measured and compared with the calculated frequencies. Thermal stabilities were obtained from differential scanning calorimetry measurements and sensitivity toward impact was determined by BAM standards. The energies of combustion of 2 and 4 were based on oxygen bomb calorimetry values and were used to calculate the corresponding heats of formation.