Density functional calculations on the thermodynamic properties of a series of nitrosocubanes having the formula C8H8−x(NO)x (x=1−8)
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-30-2009
Publication Title
Journal of Hazardous Materials
Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that octanitrocubane and heptanitrocubane may be two of the most powerful non-nuclear high-energy materials currently known. Progressive substitution of the hydrogen atoms on cubane for nitroso groups is expected to also produce a new potential high-energy material, which should have thermodynamic properties similar to nitrocubane. In this study we predict optimized structures, vibrational frequencies, enthalpies of formation, and specific enthalpies of combustion for a series of nitrosocubanes ranging from mononitrosocubane to octanitrosocubane. Our results indicate, on the basis of the specific enthalpies of combustion alone, that mononitrosocubane should make the best new high-energy material; however, we speculate that the velocity of detonation of octa- and heptanitrosocubane will make them better high-energy materials.
Recommended Citation
Richard, R. M.; Ball, D. W. Density functional calculations on the thermodynamic properties of a series of nitrosocubanes having the formula C8H8−x(NO)x (x=1−8). J. Hazard. Mater. 2009, 164, 1552-1555.
DOI
10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.08.057
Volume
164
Issue
2-3
