US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

MaoXi Zhang

Paritosh R Dave

Reddy Damavarapu

Raja G Duddu

Nathaniel S Gelber

C Rao Surapaneni

1-Methyl-2,4,5-Trinitroimidazole is synthesized starting from 4-nitroimidazole using stepwise nitration method and further methylation using Dimethylsulphate. It is relatively insensitive to impact and its thermal stability is excellent. The calculated detonation properties indicate that its performance is about 30% better than TATB. It can be prepared easily, with reasonable yield, starting from commercially available Imidazole. Results from impact sensitivity, friction sensitivity, time-to-explosion temperature and vacuum stability tests indicate that it is less sensitive than both RDX and HMX. The good oxygen balance and measured heat of formation data of this material indicate that its propellant performance should be good.

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Flanders, NJ, United States of America

MaoXi Zhang