Modifying Nitrate Ester Sensitivity Properties Using Explosive Isomers

Abstract

Understanding explosive sensitivity is key to the safe handling and development of new explosives. Macro- A nd microscale studies have concluded that multiple physical and chemical factors affect sensitivity, both intermolecular and intramolecular. Stereoisomers are molecular pairs with the same bond connectivity but differing spatial arrangement of those bonds, and in certain cases can exhibit vastly different chemical and physical properties. Herein we report the synthesis of stereoisomers of erythritol tetranitrate (ETN) and the reported stereoisomers mannitol hexanitrate (MHN) and sorbitol hexanitrate (SHN). Isomers of ETN and MHN had altered physical properties such as melting point, state of matter, and crystal structure. These different physical properties caused changes in the impact sensitivity of the isomers. The melting point of the explosive was determined to be a key factor in the impact sensitivity measurements, altering the physical state of the explosive at room temperature or by potentially facilitating access to the more sensitive liquid state of the explosive.