Synthesis, structural characterization, and thermal properties of alkaline (earth) compounds derived from 2,4-dinitroimidazole

Eight alkaline and alkaline-earth compounds derived from 2,4-dinitroimidazole (2,4-HDNI) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and TG–DSC, of which K(2,4-DNI) (1), Rb(2,4-DNI)(2,4-HDNI)(H2O)2 (2), and Ba(2,4-DNI)2(H2O)4 (3) were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All the three compounds were crystallized from water, but 1 was an anhydrate. The coordination number in 1 and 3 is 10, but in 2 is 9. The 2,4-DNI adopts either η3, η2, or η1 coordination modes depending on the metal cation. In 3, there is an inversion center located on the metal. Only in 2 does water play an important role for the construction of the structure; in 3 it is a hydrogen bonding participant. TG–DSC analyses of 1 were also performed, and non-isothermal decomposition reaction kinetics were obtained.