Nitrogen-Rich 5,5'-Azotetrazolates: A Broad Spectrum of Technologically Accessible Gas-Generating Pyrotechnic Materials.

Ten 5,5'-azotetrazolate salts with nitrogen-rich bases was prepared and evaluated as technologically accessible gas-generating materials. In addition to sufficient performance, the development focused on safety, reliable handling, and environmental responsibility, as essential factors for evaluating compounds intended for controlled gas generation. The azo and tetrazole framework combines high nitrogen content with favorable energetic characteristics, making it an attractive platform for applications requiring rapid, controlled gas release. The prepared salts were evaluated for their physicochemical and safety-relevant properties, including bulk density, hygroscopicity, and mechanical sensitivity. The structures of several compounds were determined by X-ray analysis of single-crystalline material. The ballistic properties were calculated for both the compounds themselves and their mixtures with the oxidizers potassium perchlorate and strontium nitrate, which ensure the required reaction rate while producing nontoxic gaseous and solid products. Several compounds showed advantageous combinations of high bulk density, low-to-moderate hygroscopicity, and favorable impact and friction sensitivities, resulting in performance comparable to that of currently used materials or commonly cited high-potential candidates for gas-generating components in various safety systems.