Improved Synthesis and X‐Ray Structure of 5‐Aminotetrazolium Nitrate

5‐Aminotetrazolium nitrate was synthesized in high yield and characterized using Raman and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N). The molecular structure of 5‐aminotetrazolium nitrate in the crystalline state was determined by X‐ray crystallography: monoclinic, P 2₁/c, a=1.05493(8) nm, b=0.34556(4) nm, c=1.4606(1) nm, β=90.548(9)°, V=0.53244(8) nm³, Z=4, ϱ=1.847 g cm⁻³, R₁=0.034, wR₂ (all data)=0.090. The thermal stability of 5‐aminotetrazolium nitrate was determined using differential scanning calorimetry; the compound decomposes at 167 °C. The enthalpy of combustion (Δ_combH) of 5‐aminotetrazolium nitrate ([CH₄N₅]⁺[NO₃]⁻) was determined experimentally using oxygen bomb calorimetry: Δ_combH([CH₄N₅]⁺[NO₃]⁻)=−6020±200 kJ kg⁻¹. The standard enthalpy of formation (Δ_fH°) of [CH₄N₅]⁺[NO₃]⁻ was obtained on the basis of quantum chemical computations at the electron‐correlated ab initio MP2 (second order Møller‐Plesset perturbation theory) level of theory using a correlation consistent double‐zeta basis set (cc‐pVTZ): Δ_fH°([CH₄N₅]⁺[NO₃]⁻(s))=+87 kJ mol⁻¹=+586 kJ kg⁻¹. The detonation velocity (D) and the detonation pressure (P) of 5‐aminotetrazolium nitrate were calculated using the empirical equations by Kamlet and Jacobs: D([CH₄N₅]⁺[NO₃]⁻)=8.90 mm μs⁻¹ and P([CH₄N₅]⁺[NO₃]⁻)=35.7 GPa.     

Theoretical Study on Thermodynamic and Detonation Properties of Polynitrocubanes

We investigated the heat of formation (Δ_fH) of polynitrocubanes using density functional theory B3LYP and HF methods with 6‐31G*, 6‐311+G**, and cc‐pVDZ basis sets. The results indicate that Δ_fH firstly decreases (nitro number m=0–2) and then increases (m=4–8) with each additional nitro group being introduced to the cubane skeleton. Δ_fH of octanitrocubane is predicted to be 808.08 kJ mol⁻¹ at the B3LYP/6‐311+G** level. The Gibbs free energy of formation (Δ_fG) increases by about 40–60 kJ mol⁻¹ with each nitro group being added to the cubane when the substituent number is fewer than 4, then Δ_fG increases by about 100–110 kJ mol⁻¹ with each additional group being attached to the cubic skeleton. Both the detonation velocity and the pressure for polynitrocubanes increase as the number of substituents increases. Detonation velocity and pressure of octanitrocubane are substantially larger than the famous widely used explosive cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX).     

Computed Thermodynamic and Explosive Properties of 1‐Azido‐2‐nitro‐2‐azapropane (ANAP)

Some thermodynamic and explosive properties of the recently reported 1‐azido‐2‐nitro‐2‐azapropane (ANAP) have been determined in a combined computational ab initio (MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ) and EXPLO5 (Becker–Kistiakowsky–Wilson's equation of state, BKW EOS) study. The enthalpy of formation of ANAP in the liquid phase was calculated to be Δ_fH°, ANAP(l)=+297.1 kJ mol⁻¹. The heat of detonation (Q_v), the detonation pressure (P), and the detonation velocity of ANAP were calculated to be Q_v=−6088 kJ kg⁻¹, P=23.8 GPa, D=8033 m s⁻¹. A mixture of ANAP and tetranitromethane (TNM) was investigated in an attempt to tailor the impact sensitivity of ANAP, but results obtained indicate that the mixture is almost as sensitive as pure ANAP. On the other hand, ANAP and TNM were found to be chemically compatible (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁴N NMR; DSC) and a 1 : 1 mixture (by weight) of both components was calculated to have superior explosive properties than either of the individual components: Q_v=−6848 kJ kg⁻¹, P=27.0 GPa, D=8284 m s⁻¹.     

Triazidotrinitro Benzene: 1,3,5‐(N3)3‐2,4,6‐(NO2)3C6

Triazidotrinitro benzene, 1,3,5‐(N₃)₃‐2,4,6‐(NO₂)₃C₆ ( 1 ) was synthesized by nitration of triazidodinitro benzene, 1,3,5‐(N₃)₃‐2,4‐(NO₂)₂C₆H with either a mixture of fuming nitric and concentrated sulfuric acid (HNO₃/H₂SO₄) or with N₂O₅. Crystals were obtained by the slow evaporation of an acetone/acetic acid mixture at room temperature over a period of 2 weeks and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction: monoclinic, P 2₁/c (no. 14), a=0.54256(4), b=1.8552(1), c=1.2129(1) nm, β=94.91(1)°, V=1.2163(2) nm³, Z=4, ϱ=1.836 g⋅cm⁻³, R_all =0.069. Triazidotrinitro benzene has a remarkably high density (1.84 g⋅cm⁻³). The standard heat of formation of compound 1 was computed at B3LYP/6‐31G(d, p) level of theory to be ΔH°_f=765.8 kJ⋅mol⁻¹ which translates to 2278.0 kJ⋅kg⁻¹. The expected detonation properties of compound 1 were calculated using the semi‐empirical equations suggested by Kamlet and Jacobs: detonation pressure, P=18.4 GPa and detonation velocity, D=8100 m⋅s⁻¹.     

Structural and Preliminary Explosive Property Characterizations of New 3,4,5‐Triamino‐1,2,4‐triazolium (Guanazinium) Salts

Two new highly stable energetic salts were synthesized in reasonable yield by using the high nitrogen‐content heterocycle 3,4,5‐triamino‐1,2,4‐triazole and resulting in its picrate and azotetrazolate salts. 3,4,5‐Triamino‐1,2,4‐triazolium picrate (1) and bis(3,4,5‐triamino‐1,2,4‐triazolium) 5,5′‐azotetrazolate (2) were characterized analytically and spectroscopically. X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that protonation takes place on the nitrogen N1 (crystallographically labelled as N2). The sensitivity of the compounds to shock and friction was also determined by standard BAM tests revealing a low sensitivity for both. B3LYP/6–31G(d, p) density functional (DFT) calculations were carried out to determine the enthalpy of combustion (Δ_cH (1) =−3737.8 kJ mol⁻¹, Δ_cH (2) =−4577.8 kJ mol⁻¹) and the standard enthalpy of formation (Δ_fH° (1) =−498.3 kJ mol⁻¹, (Δ_fH° (2) =+524.2 kJ mol⁻¹). The detonation pressures (P (1) =189×10⁸ Pa, P (2) =199×10⁸ Pa) and detonation velocities (D (1) =7015 m s⁻¹, D (2) =7683 m s⁻¹) were calculated using the program EXPLO5.     

Taming the Beast: Measurement of the Enthalpies of Combustion and Formation of Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) and Diacetone Diperoxide (DADP) by Oxygen Bomb Calorimetry

Low‐melting paraffin wax was successfully used as a phlegmatizing agent to perform semi‐micro oxygen bomb calorimetry of spectroscopically pure samples of the sensitive explosive peroxides TATP and DADP. The energies of combustion (Δ_cU) were measured and the standard enthalpies of formation (Δ_fH°) were derived using the CODATA values for the standard enthalpies of formation of the combustion products. Whilst the measured Δ_fH° of DADP (Δ_fH°=−598.5 ± 39.7 kJ mol⁻¹) could not be compared to any existing literature value, the measured Δ_fH° value of TATP (Δ_fH°=+151.4 ± 32.7 kJ mol⁻¹) did not correlate well with the only existing experimental value and confirmed that TATP is an endothermic cyclic peroxide.     

Detonation Velocities and Pressures,and their Relationships with Electric Spark Sensitivities for Nitramines

The DFT‐B3LYP method, with basis set 6–31G*, is employed to optimize molecular geometries and electronic structures of eighteen nitramines. The averaged molar volume (V) and theoretical density (ρ) are estimated using the Monte‐Carlo method based on 0.001 electrons/bohr³ density space. Subsequently, the detonation velocity (D) and pressure (P) of the explosives are estimated by using the Kamlet‐Jacobs equation on the basis of the theoretical density and heat of formation (Δ_fH), which is calculated using the PM3 method. The reliability of this theoretical method and results are tested by comparing the theoretical values of ρ and D with the experimental or referenced values. The theoretical values of D and P are compared with the experimental values of electric spark sensitivity (E_ES). It is found that for the compounds with metylenenitramine units ( CH₂N(NO₂) ) in their molecules (such as ORDX, AcAn and HMX) or with the better symmetrical cyclic nitramines but excluding metylenenitramine units (such as DNDC and TNAD), there is a excellent linear relationship between the square of detonation velocity (D²) or the logarithm of detonation pressure (lg P) and electric spark sensitivity (E_ES). This suggests that in the molecular design of energetic materials, such a theoretical approach can be used to predict their E_ES values, which have been proven to be difficult to predict quantitatively or to synthesize.     

Structure/Enthalpy of Formation Relationships for Hydrocarbons Containing Benzene Rings

Simple protocols to convert molecular mechanics (MMX/PCMODEL), semiempirical PM3, and HF ab initio energies to accurate heats of formation for hydrocarbons with benzene rings are described. The data set consists of every hydrocarbon benzene derivative with an experimentally determined ΔH_f^o (g), and the ΔH_f^o (g)'s cover a range of -140 to +410 kJ/mol. The molecular structures are comprised of numerous structural types. Hierarchical sets of molecular structure parameters are defined to describe these molecules. The independent variables include atom types (level 1), group and ring terms (level 2), nonbonded atom interactions (level 3), and the calculated MMX, PM3 or ab initio HF energies, which contribute a final level 4 parameter for rectification of the ΔH_f^o (g) data. The additivity, level 1-3 parameters give an excellent correlation of the experimental ΔH_f^o (g)'s, average error = 3.4 kJ, and maximum error = 12.1 kJ. However, the correlations are further enhanced by addition of any level 4 parameter, with maximum improvement coming at the 6-31G*//STO-3G HF level of calculation.     

Extraction of Actinide(III,IV, V,VI) Ions and TcO4 − by N,N,N′,N′‐Tetraisobutyl‐3‐Oxa‐Glutaramide

Abstract

The extraction behavior of U(VI), Np(V), Pu(IV), Am(III), and TcO₄ ^? with N,N,N′,N′‐tetraisobutyl‐3‐oxa‐glutaramide (TiBOGA) were investigated. An organic phase of 0.2 mol/L TiBOGA in 40/60% (V/V) 1‐octanol/kerosene showed good extractability for actinides (III, IV, V VI) and TcO₄ ^? from aqueous solutions of HNO₃ (0.1 to 4 mol/L). At 25°C, the distribution ratio of the actinide ions (D _An) generally increased as the concentration of HNO₃ in the aqueous phase was increased from 0.1 to 4 mol/L, while the D _Tc at first increased, then decreased, with a maximum of 3.0 at 2 mol/L HNO₃. Based on the slope analysis of the dependence of D _M (M=An or Tc) on the concentrations of reagents, the formula of extracted complexes were assumed to be UO₂L₂(NO₃)₂, NpO₂L₂(NO₃), PuL(NO₃)₄, AmL₃(NO₃)₃, and HL₂(TcO₄) where L=TiBOGA. The enthalpy and entropy of the corresponding extraction reactions, Δ_r H and Δ_r S, were calculated from the dependence of D on temperature in the range of 15–55°C. For U(VI), Np(V), Am(III) and TcO₄ ^?, the extraction reactions are enthalpy driven and disfavored by entropy (Δ_r H<0 and Δ_r S<0). In contrast, the extraction reaction of Pu(IV) is entropy driven and disfavored by enthalpy (Δ_r H>0 and Δ_r S>0). A test run with 0.2 mol/L TiBOGA in 40/60% 1‐octanol/kerosene was performed to separate actinides and TcO₄ ^? from a simulated acidic high‐level liquid waste (HLLW), using tracer amounts of ²³⁸U(VI), ²³⁷Np(V), ²³⁹Pu(IV), ²⁴¹Am(III) and ⁹⁹TcO₄ ^?. The distribution ratios of U(VI), Np(V), Pu(IV), Am(III) and TcO₄ ^? were 12.4, 3.9, 87, >1000 and 1.5, respectively, confirming that TiBOGA is a promising extractant for the separation of all actinides and TcO₄ ^? from acidic HLLW. It is noteworthy that the extractability of TiBOGA for Np(V) from acidic HLLW (D _Np(V)=3.9) is much higher than that of many other extractants that have been studied for the separation of actinides from HLLW.     

Studies on the solvent extraction of rare earths from nitrate media with a combination of di‐(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid and sec‐octylphenoxyacetic acid

BACKGROUND: Di‐(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA, H₂A₂) has been used extensively in hydrometallurgy for the extraction of rare earths, but it has some limitations. Synergistic extraction has attracted much attention because of its enhanced extractabilities and selectivities. In the present study, sec‐octylphenoxyacetic acid (CA12, H₂B₂) was added into D2EHPA systems for the extraction and separation of rare earths. The extraction mechanism of lanthanum with the mixtures and the separation of lanthanoids and yttrium were investigated. RESULTS: The synergistic enhancement coefficient for La³⁺ extracted with D2EHPA + CA12 was calculated as 3.63. La³⁺ was extracted as La(NO₃)₂H₂A₂B with the mixture. The logarithm of the equilibrium constant was determined as 0.80. The thermodynamic functions, ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS were calculated to be 4.03 kJ mol^?1, ? 1.96 kJ mol^?1, and 20.46 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively. The mixtures have synergistic effects on Ce³⁺, Nd³⁺, and Y³⁺, with an especially strong synergistic effect on Y³⁺. Neither synergistic nor antagonistic effects on Dy³⁺ and weak antagonistic effects on Lu³⁺ were found. CONCLUSION: Mixtures of D2EHPA and CA12 exhibit evident synergistic effects when used to extract La³⁺ from nitric solution. The stoichiometries of the extracted complexes have been determined by graphical and numerical methods to be La(NO₃)₂H₂A₂B with the mixture. The extraction is an endothermic process. The mixture exhibits different extraction effects on rare earths, which provides possibilities for the separation of Y³⁺ from Ln³⁺ at a proper ratio of D2EHPA and CA12. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Thermal Behavior of 3‐(4‐Aminofurazan‐3‐yl)‐4‐(4‐nitrofurazan‐3‐yl)furazan (ANTF)

The energetic material 3‐(4‐aminofurazan‐3‐yl)‐4‐(4‐nitrofurazan‐3‐yl)furazan (ANTF) with low melting‐point was synthesized by means of an improved oxidation reaction from 3,4‐bis(4′‐aminofurazano‐3′‐yl)furazan. The structure of ANTF was confirmed by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and the crystal structure was determined by X‐ray diffraction. ANTF crystallized in monoclinic system P2₁/c, with a crystal density of 1.785 g cm⁻³ and crystal parameters a=6.6226(9) Å, b=26.294(2) Å, c=6.5394(8) Å, β=119.545(17)°, V=0.9907(2) nm³, Z=4, μ=0.157 mm⁻¹, F(000)=536. The thermal stability and non‐isothermal kinetics of ANTF were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with heating rates of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 K min⁻¹. The apparent activation energy (E_a) of ANTF calculated by Kissinger's equation and Ozawa's equation were 115.9 kJ mol⁻¹ and 112.6 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively, with the pre‐exponential factor lnA=21.7 s⁻¹. ANTF is a potential candidate for the melt‐cast explosive with good thermal stability and detonation performance.     

Mixed Micellization Behavior of (Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride + Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide) System in Aqueous Solutions of Glycine

We have examined the mixed micellar behavior of {amphiphilic drug; chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ) + cationic surfactant; cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)} at varying mole fractions of CPZ (α_CPZ = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8) in (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) mol kg⁻¹ glycine_(aq) solutions at 298.15, 308.15, and 318.15 K, by using conductometric, volumetric, isentropic compressibility, UV–visible absorbance, fluorescence, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values obtained from above measurements have been utilized to calculate the thermodynamic parameters (ΔG^°_m, ΔH^°_m, and ΔS^°_m) and degree of ionization (α) at studied temperatures and concentrations. The partial specific volume (φ_v), partial specific isentropic compression (φ_κ), and isentropic compressibility (κ_s) have been calculated from the experimental density and speed of sound measurements and the results have been used to elucidate different interactions occurring in these systems. These results are further supported by UV–visible absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopic studies. The hydrodynamic diameters (D_h) of the mixed micellar system have been measured from the DLS studies. Thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies depict the dominance of hydrophobic/hydrophilic-hydrophobic interactions between the alkyl (R = C₁₆H₃₃) chain of CTAB or hydrophobic tricyclic scaffolding of CPZ/Br⁻/N⁺-CH₃ group of CTAB or hydrophilic group i.e., tertiary amine portion of CPZ with hydrophobic group of glycine.     

Estimating Heats of Detonation and Detonation Velocities of Aromatic Energetic Compounds

A new method is introduced to predict reliable estimation of heats of detonation of aromatic energetic compounds. At first step, this procedure assumes that the heat of detonation of an explosive compound of composition C_aH_bN_cO_d can be approximated as the difference between the heat of formation of all H₂O CO₂ arbitrary (H₂O, CO₂, N₂) detonation products and that of the explosive, divided by the formula weight of the explosive. Overestimated results based on (H₂O CO₂ arbitrary) can be corrected in the next step. Predicted heats of detonation of pure energetic compounds with the product H₂O in the liquid state for 31 aromatic energetic compounds have a root mean square (rms) deviation of 2.08 and 0.34 kJ g⁻¹ from experiment for (H₂O CO₂ arbitrary) and new method, respectively. The new method also gives good results as compared to the second sets of decomposition products, which consider H₂, N₂, H₂O, CO, and CO₂ as major gaseous products. It is shown here how the predicted heats of detonation by the new method can be used to obtain reliable estimation of detonation velocity over a wide range of loading densities.     

A DFT Study on the Structures and Energies of Isomers of 4‐Amino‐1,3‐dinitro‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐one‐2‐oxide: New High Energy Density Compounds

Isomers of 4‐amino‐1,3‐dinitrotriazol‐5‐one‐2‐oxide (ADNTONO) are of interest in the contest of insensitive explosives and were found to have true local energy minima at the DFT‐B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level. The optimized structures, vibrational frequencies and thermodynamic values for triazol‐5‐one N‐oxides were obtained in their ground state. Kamlet‐Jacob equations were used to evaluate the performance properties. The detonation properties of ADNTONO (D=10.15 to 10.46 km s⁻¹, P=50.86 to 54.25 GPa) are higher compared with those of 1,1‐diamino‐2,2‐dinitroethylene (D=8.87 km s⁻¹, P=32.75 GPa), 5‐nitro‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐one (D=8.56 km s⁻¹, P=31.12 GPa), 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine‐3,6‐diamine‐1,4‐dioxide (D=8.78 km s⁻¹, P=31.0 GPa), 1‐amino‐3,4,5‐trinitropyrazole (D=9.31 km s⁻¹, P=40.13 GPa), 4,4′‐dinitro‐3,3′‐bifurazan (D=8.80 km s⁻¹, P=35.60 GPa) and 3,4‐bis(3‐nitrofurazan‐4‐yl)furoxan (D=9.25 km s⁻¹, P=39.54 GPa). The  NH₂ group(s) appears to be particularly promising area for investigation since it may lead to two desirable consequences of higher stability (insensitivity), higher density, and thus detonation velocity and pressure.     

Detonation Measurements on Damaged LX‐04

We have applied thermal insults on LX‐04 at 185 °C and found that the material expanded significantly, resulting in a bulk density reduction of 12%. Subsequent detonation experiments (three cylinder tests) were conducted on the thermally damaged LX‐04 samples and pristine low‐density LX‐04 samples and the results showed that the fractions reacted were close to 1.0. The thermally damaged LX‐04 and pristine low‐density LX‐04 showed detonation velocities of 7.7–7.8 mm μs⁻¹, significantly lower than that (8.5 mm μs⁻¹) of pristine high‐density LX‐04. Detonation energy densities for the damaged LX‐04, low‐density pristine LX‐04, and hot cylinder shot of LX‐04 were 6.48, 6.62, and 6.58 kJ cm⁻³, respectively, lower than the detonation energy density of 8.11 kJ cm⁻³ for the high density pristine LX‐04. The break‐out curves for the detonation fronts showed that the damaged LX‐04 had longer edge lags than the high density pristine LX‐04, indicating that the damaged explosive is less ideal.     

Performance Assessment of Some Isomers of Saturated Polycyclic Hydrocarbons for Use as Jet Fuels

The performance of jet fuel depends on the density (ρ), condensed phase heat of formation (▵_fH°(c)), and specific impulse (I_SP). Exo‐tricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]decane (C₁₀H₁₆) or JP‐10 is now used as a suitable synthetic liquid jet fuel because it has the approximated values of ρ=1.1 g cm⁻³ and ▵_fH°(c)=− 123 kJ mol⁻¹ and a broad range between the melting and boiling points, i.e. T_bp–T_mp=196.2 K. This work introduces a suitable pathway for calculation of the values of ρ, ▵_fH°(c), and I_SP of 13 well‐known isomers of JP‐10 and a series of saturated polycyclic hydrocarbons with general formula of C_nH_n′ (5≤n≤12) in order to specify high performance jet fuels. Although 13 compounds have larger values of I_SP*ρ than JP‐10, only two compounds, tetraspiro[2.0.0.0.2.1.1.1]undecane and tetracyclo[3.2.0.0(2,7).0(4,6)]heptane, are suitable as jet fuels.     

Thermal Decomposition Study of HNIW by Synchrotron Photoionization Mass Spectrometry

Thermal decomposition of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW) was investigated through tuneable vacuum ultraviolet photoionization with molecular‐beam sampling mass spectrometry (MBMS). According to photoionization efficiency (PIE) spectroscopic results, the initial decomposition products of HNIW were identified including HCN, CO, NO, HNCO, N₂O, CO₂ (a little), NO₂, C₂H₂N₂, C₃H₃N₃, C₄H₃N₃, C₃H₄N₄, C₅H₄N₄, C₅H₅N₅ and C₆H₆N₆. The possible ionization energies of C₂H₂N₂, C₄H₃N₃, C₃H₄N₄ and C₆H₆N₆ were analyzed on basis of the PIE spectra. The data were compared with those of thermogravimetry‐mass spectrometry (TG‐MS) and thermogravimetry‐Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy (TG‐FT‐IR). The kinetic parameters for the formation of HNCO, HCN and CO₂ were calculated from the current curves of species by TG‐FT‐IR spectroscopy, typically the apparent activation energy (E_a) and prefactor (A) for HNCO were E_a=161.3 ± 2.5 kJ mol⁻¹ and A=38.9 ± 0.6 s⁻¹ with an optimal mechanism function f(α)=(1−α). Global thermal decomposition reaction and Arrhenius equation of HNIW were suggested at the end.     

Complexes of Hydrogen Peroxide with Dioxoactinide(VI) Species in Aqueous Carbonate and Bicarbonate Media. Formation of An(VI)–H2O2 Complexes

The spectra for 1:1 complexes formed between triscarbonatouranium(VI) + H₂O₂ and triscarbanatoneptunium(VI) + H₂O₂ are presented. The respective rates of formation (25°C, 0.05 M NA₂CO₃) are 565 ± 41 M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and (2.19 ± .01) X 10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The corresponding activation parameters are ΔH* = 67.8 ± 3.2 kJ/m, 43.6 ± 2.0 kJ/m, ΔS* = 30 ± 11 J/m °K and −36 ± 7 J/m °K, respectively. The U(VI) complex appears to be stable over a period of months while the Np(VI) complex is formed as a transient species that disappears via a complex process.     

Calculation of Detonation Velocity,Pressure, and Electric Sensitivity of Nitro Arenes Based on Quantum Chemistry

The DFT‐B3LYP method, with basis set 6‐31G*, is employed to optimize molecular geometries and electronic structures of thirty‐nine nitro arenes. The averaged molar volume (V) and theoretical density (ϱ) are estimated using the Monte‐Carlo method, based on 0.001 electrons/bohr³ density space and a self‐compiled program. The detonation velocity (D) and pressure (P) of the explosives are estimated by using the Kamlet–Jacbos equation on the basis of the theoretical density and heat of formation (Δ_fH), which is calculated using the PM3 method. The reliability of this theoretical method and results are tested by comparing the theoretical values of ϱ and D with the experimental or referenced values. The theoretical values of D and P are correlated with the experimental values of electric sensitivity (E_ES). It is found that, for the nitro arenes, there is a linear relationship between the square of detonation velocity (D²) or detonation pressure (P) and electric sensitivity (E_ES), which suggests that such a theoretical approach can be used to predict or judge the magnitude of E_ES, which is difficult to measure in the molecular design of energetic materials. In addition, we have discussed the influence of the substituted groups and the parameters of the electronic structure on density, detonation velocity, pressure, and electric sensitivity, and have shown that the substituted groups have the effect of activity or insensitivity, and that the influence of Q_‐NO2 and E_LUMO is important.     

Synergistic extraction and separation study of rare earth elements from nitrate medium by mixtures of sec‐nonylphenoxy acetic acid and 2,2′‐bipyridyl

BACKGROUND: Synergistic extraction has been proven to enhance extractability and selectivity. Numerous types of synergistic extraction systems have been applied to rare earth elements, among which sec‐nonylphenoxyacetic acid (CA100) has proved to be an excellent synergistic extractant. In this study, the synergistic enhancement of the extraction of holmium(III) from nitrate medium by mixtures of CA100 (H₂A₂) with 2,2′‐bipyridyl (bipy, B) in n‐heptane has been investigated. The extraction of all other lanthanides (except polonium) and yttrium by the mixtures in n‐heptane has also been studied. RESULTS: Mixtures of CA100 and bipy have significant synergistic effects on all rare earth elements, for example holmium(III) is extracted as Ho(NO₃)₂HA₂B with the mixture instead of HoH₂A₅, which is extracted by CA100 alone. The thermodynamic functions, ΔH^o, ΔG^o, and ΔS^o have been calculated as 2.96 kJ mol^?1, ? 6.23 kJ mol^?1, and 31.34 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively. CONCLUSION: Methods of slope analysis and constant molar ratio have been successfully applied to study the synergistic extraction stoichiometries of holmium(III) by mixtures of CA100 and bipy. Mixtures of these extractants have also shown various synergistic effects with other rare earth elements, making it possible to separate them. Thus CA100 + bipy may be used to separate yttrium from other lanthanides at appropriate ratios of the extractants. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry