Synthesis of CL-20 : By oxidative debenzylation with cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN)

Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW or CL-20), one of the most powerful high explosives of today, is a polycyclic nitramine cage compound. The synthesis of CL-20 is described from 2,6,8,12-tetraacetyl-4,10-dibenzyl hexaazaisowurtzitane (TADBIW) using debenzylation followed by nitration. TADBIW on reaction with cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) gives the debenzylated product, which on nitration with HNO 3 /H 2 SO 4 provides CL-20. Alternatively, the debenzylated product on acetylation yields 2,4,6,8,10,12-hcxaacetyl-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (HAIW), which on nitration produces CL-20.