Crystal lattice free volume in a study of initiation reactivity of nitramines: Impact sensitivity

More detailed analysis of a mutual relationship of impact sensitivity (detected by sound) and crystal lattice free volume, Delta V, for the 18 nitramines shows that its course is not unequivocal. For a part of the studied compounds this sensitivity has increased with increase of the Delta V values, but for fairly big number of nitramines the relationship works in the opposite direction, especially for data of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane, 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane, and beta- and epsilon-polymorphs of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane. Initiation reactivity of technical epsilon-polymorph of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane gives the impression by disorderliness in distribution of the actions of forces in its crystal lattice in comparison with its RS (reduced sensitivity) or chemically pure analogue. Limitations of partial shapes of the mentioned relationship by the molecular-structural similarity, and already published information about the decisive factors governing the crystal structure, signalizes a higher influence of the intermolecular interactions in a crystal lattice in comparison with influence of the crystal lattice free volume for initiation of the crystalline EMs. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.