Octanitrocubane

Octanitrocubane (molecular formula: C8(NO2)8) is a proposed high explosive that, like TNT, is shock-insensitive (not readily detonated by shock). The octanitrocubane molecule has the same chemical structure as cubane (C8H8) except that each of the eight hydrogen atoms is replaced by a nitro group (NO2). As of 1998, octanitrocubane had not been produced in quantities large enough to test its performance as an explosive.

Octanitrocubane
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Octanitrocubane
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
  • InChI=1S/C8N8O16/c17-9(18)1-2(10(19)20)5(13(25)26)3(1,11(21)22)7(15(29)30)4(1,12(23)24)6(2,14(27)28)8(5,7)16(31)32 Y
    Key: URIPDZQYLPQBMG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
  • InChI=1/C8N8O16/c17-9(18)1-2(10(19)20)5(13(25)26)3(1,11(21)22)7(15(29)30)4(1,12(23)24)6(2,14(27)28)8(5,7)16(31)32
    Key: URIPDZQYLPQBMG-UHFFFAOYAW
  • [O-][N+](=O)C12C3([N+]([O-])=O)C4([N+]([O-])=O)C1([N+]([O-])=O)C5([N+]([O-])=O)C2([N+]([O-])=O)C3([N+]([O-])=O)C45[N+]([O-])=O
Properties
C8N8O16
Molar mass 464.128 g·mol−1
Density 1.979 g/cm3
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Explosive compound
Explosive data
Shock sensitivity Low
Friction sensitivity Low
Detonation velocity 10,100 m/s
Related compounds
Related compounds
 Cubane
Heptanitrocubane
Octafluorocubane
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Y verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

It is, however, not as powerful an explosive as once thought, as the high-density theoretical crystal structure has not been achieved. For this reason, heptanitrocubane, the slightly less nitrated form, is believed to have marginally better performance, despite having a worse oxygen balance.

Octanitrocubane is thought to have 20–25% greater performance than HMX (octogen). This increase in power is due to its highly expansive breakdown into CO2 and N2, as well as to the presence of strained chemical bonds in the molecule which have stored potential energy. In addition, it produces no water vapor upon combustion, making it less visible, and both the chemical itself and its decomposition products (nitrogen and carbon dioxide) are considered to be non-toxic.

Octanitrocubane was first synthesized by Philip Eaton (who was also the first to synthesize cubane in 1964) and Mao-Xi Zhang at the University of Chicago in 1999, with the structure proven by crystallographer Richard Gilardi of the United States Naval Research Laboratory.

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