Decomposition of Azo & Hydrazo linked Bis Triazines

In a search for novel energetic materials azo-linked bis triazines were pursued. Herein the thermal decomposition of 14 simple triazines and 16 hydrazo or azo-linked bis triazines were studied using mass spectrometry, permanent gas evolution, and differential scanning calorimetry. At temperatures far above the melting/decomposition point, decomposition was complete. Lower temperatures provided insight into the stability of the functional groups pendant to the triazine rings. Decomposition gases were identified by chromatography; they indicated little degradation of the triazine rings. The s-triazine ring system appears very stable, resisting decomposition up to 550oC while its substituents undergo relatively isolated chemistry. Since the discovery of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene over a century ago, nitration of aromatic carbon ring systems has been thoroughly exploited. In an effort to construct more energetic yet stable species, carbon backbones1, 2 have been abandoned in favor of high-nitrogen, heterocyclic rings.3-6 These compounds derive their energy from larg