Theoretical prediction of the trigger linkage, cage strain, and explosive sensitivity of CL-20 in the external electric fields

In order to add safely external electric fields into the systems of the explosives with strong cage strain, the effects of the external electric fields on the strengths of trigger linkages, cage strain energies (CSEs), surface electrostatic potentials (ESPs), as well as impact and shock initiation sensitivities of CL-20 were investigated using the B3LYP and M06-2X methods with 6-311++G(2d,p) basis set. The results show that the changes of the strengths of the N-NO2 bonds are more notable than those of the bonds forming cage, and the changes involving the N-NO2 bonds attached to the five-membered ring are more significant than those attached to the six-membered ring. In most cases, the CSEs in the electric fields are stronger than those in no field. From the BDEs, the N-NO2 cleavage is the decomposition reaction pathway in detonation initiation. However, from the surface ESPs, the N-NO2 cleavage, C-N and C-C bond breaking may initiate the reactions. The global ESPs are more reasonable and reliable to estimate the impact sensitivities of the cage-shaped explosives. The changes of the bond lengths, Mulliken bond orders, nitro group charges and BDEs correlate well with the external electric field strengths. Interestingly, an abnormal result is found that the h(50) values in the electric fields are larger than those in no field.

Automated summary

The study investigates the effects of external electric fields on trigger linkages, cage strain energies, surface electrostatic potentials, impact, and shock initiation sensitivities of CL-20. Results show that changes in N-NO2 bonds are more notable than cage-forming bonds, with CSEs often stronger in electric fields. N-NO2 cleavage is the primary decomposition pathway in detonation initiation, while surface ESPs suggest N-NO2 cleavage, C-N, and C-C bond breaking may initiate reactions.