Polynitroethyl- and Fluorodinitroethyl Substituted Boron Esters

The reaction of boron oxide with various nitro-substituted ethanols (2-nitroethanol, 2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethanol, 2,2,2-trinitroethanol) furnished the corresponding nitroethyl borates B(OCH2CH2NO2)(3) (1), B(OCH2CF(NO2)(2))(3) (2), and B(OCH2C(NO2)(3))(3) (3). Fluorination of the anion [(NO2)(2)CCH2OH](-) (4) resulted in 2-fluoro-2,2-dinitroethanol (5), a precursor for 2, and was thoroughly characterized. An interesting condensation was observed with the anion 4 to form the unusual dianion [(NO2)(2)CCH2C(NO2)(2)](2-) (6). All compounds were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, vibrational spectroscopy (IR, Raman), mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The chemical, physical and energetic properties of 1-3 and 5 are reported, as well as quantum chemical calculations at the CBS-4M level of theory to predict the enthalpies and energies of formation. X-ray diffraction studies were performed, and the crystal structures for compounds 1-6 were determined and discussed thoroughly. The boron esters 1-3 are of interest as possible candidates for smoke-free, green colorants in pyrotechnic applications, and in case of 2 and 3 also as promising high energy oxidizers.