An Optimized & Scaled-Up Synthetic Procedure for Trinitroethyl Formate TNEF

Previous reports showed, that tris(2,2,2-trinitroethoxy)methane, also known as tris(2,2,2-trinitroethyl) orthoformate or trinitroethyl formate (TNEF), exhibits a very high potential for application due to its excellent energetic properties and compatibility with state of the art binder systems for composite propellants. However, TNEF was never produced on a scale exceeding a few grams. In this work, a scaled and optimized synthetic procedure for the manufacturing of elemental analysis pure TNEF in a 100 g pre-technical scale is described. Applied optimizations focus on cost of the synthesis and improvements regarding a greener purification process. Acceptable yields were achieved in the 100 g scale and the described synthetic procedure could be easily applied in the technical scale in the next step. This could stimulate a broader application of TNEF as an environmentally benign high energy density oxidizer for composite propellants.

Automated summary

Previous studies have shown the high potential of TNEF for application, but production has never exceeded a few grams. This work describes a scaled and optimized synthetic procedure for producing TNEF in a 100 g pre-technical scale, with a focus on cost and greener purification. Acceptable yields were achieved in the 100 g scale, indicating potential for broader application in a technical scale.