| Abstract: | A new, non‐hydrogenolytic synthesis of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW, 1 ) has been investigated. The treatment of hexabenzylhexaazaisowurtzitane (HBIW, 2 ) with potassium permanganate in acetic anhydride resulted in oxidative debenzylation and acetylation to give tetraacetyldibenzylhexaazaisowurtzitane (TADB, 3a ) and other intermediates from the oxidation. Subsequent nitrosolysis and nitrolysis of these intermediates with 65% HNO3/NaNO2 and 70% HNO3/AN produced HNIW in fair yield. |
