Selective Extraction of N‐Heterocyclic Precursors of 1,3,5,7‐Tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetraazacyclooctane (HMX) Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

N‐heterocyclic compounds are key nitration precursors for some high energy density explosives such as 1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetraazacyclooctane (HMX). Nitration of 1,3,5,7‐tetraacetyl‐1,3,5,7‐tetraazacyclooctane (TAT) yields HMX in high yields and purity. However, the analogue 1,3,5‐triacetyl‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane (TRAT) is easily co‐produced via the condensation of acetonitrile and 1,3,5‐trioxan. To selectively extract TAT from a mixture of TAT and TRAT, the molecular imprinting technology (MIT) was developed in this study. The capacity of the dry polymer is 16 mg g⁻¹ and the recovery surpasses 75 %.