Less Sensitive Transition Metal Salts of the 5-Nitrotetrazolate Anion

Transition metal (silver and copper) salts of the 5-nitrotetrazolate (NT) anion (1 and 2) have been synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. Standard BAM tests revealed extremely high sensitivity values for these compounds. The combination with the ethylenediamine ligand in salts 3 and 4 decreases the sensitivities in comparison to salts 1 and 2 making for much less hazardous handling and rendering the synthesis of NT salts more accessible for up-scaling. Additionally, a copper ammonia adduct of the NT anion (5) was synthesized, which shows the particularity of being able to be initiated by a laser beam, thus, decreasing the risk of accidental initiation, which often accompanies the use of primary explosives.