Thermal Decomposition Studies of a New, gem-Dinitroalkyl Nitramine 1,3,3-Trinitroazetidine ( TNAZ ).

The initial results from a study of the thermal decomposition of TNAZ and TNAZ-\.'sN02 using the simultaneous thermogravimetric modulated beam mass spectrometry (STMBMS) technique are presented. The major products formed in the decomposition of TNAZ are N02 and NO with slightly lesser amounts of H20, HCN, COIN2, C01!N20 and l-nitroso-Ld-dinitroazetidine (NDNAZ). The last mentioned product (NDNAZ) is shown to be an important intermediate in the decomposition of TNAZ and its decomposition has also been examined by synthesizing it independently. Major products formed in this decomposition of NDNAZare NO with smaller amounts of H20, HCN, COIN2 and C01!N20. The temporal behaviours of the ion signals associated with the various thermal decomposition products from TNAZ, TNAZ-I-15N02 and NDNAZ are also presented. They illustrate the evolution sequence of the various products that are associated with the different reaction pathways that control the decomposition of these materials. In particular, the study of the ISN-Iabeled sample revealed that N02 originates from both the likely sites in the TNAZ molecule and that the cleavage of the nitramine-N02 group precedes that of the C-N02 cleavage, resulting in similar sequences in the formation of NO and NDNAZ also.