TDA RESEARCH, INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane, also known as RDX, is one of the most important an

Description

1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane, also known as RDX, is one of the most important and widely used nitramine explosives in military applications. It is highly desirable to improve the performance and stability of explosives beyond the benchmark of RDX in order to better meet modern military needs. The objective of this project is to provide the Army with chlorinated derivatives of the nitramine explosive RDX. We propose fundamental chemistry for changing the molecular structure of explosive molecules such as RDX to increase their densities in a rational manner, so that their inherent energies can be increased and stabilities improved. Our proposed new synthetic pathway for RDX chlorination uses an efficient one-pot reaction process that offers important benefits for future manufacturing over complex multi-step derivatizations. Phase I will entail demonstrating proof-of-concept for our methods and initial explosive property testing. Phase II will include laboratory scale-up, process engineering, further energetic materials testing in Army facilities and production scale-up.