Synthesis and Properties of 1-propyl-2-nitroguanidine

The synthesis of 1-propyl-2-nitroguanidine (PrNQ) was performed, according to an originally modified procedure, and ca. 160 g of PrNQ was obtained in a single run. The purity of it is sufficient for further research. The structure of PrNQ molecule has been confirmed by using nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR). The melting (99°C) and decomposition (200°C) points were determined by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a heating rate of 1°C/min. Mechanical sensitivity tests showed that PrNQ is an nergetic material with impact sensitivity similar to the sensitivity of one of the least-sensitive explosives, i.e., 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB). It has been shown that PrNQ can be elaborated by cold pressing or melt-cast technique. Keywords: explosives, explosive composites, melt-cast matrix, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy