Synthesis, Characterization, and Explosive Properties of the Nitrogen-Rich Borazine [H(3)N(3)B(3)(N(3))(3)]

The azidoborazines [Me(3)N(3)B(2)(Me)(2)B(N(3))] and [H(3)N(3)B(3)(N(3))(3)] were prepared from the combination of Me(3)SiN(3) and the chloroborazines [Me(3)N(3)B(2)(Me)(2)BCl] and (H(3)N(3)B(3)Cl(3)). The compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. The molecular structure of [H(3)N(3)B(3)(N(3))(3)] has been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques: triclinic space group P&onemacr; with a = 8.579(1) Å, b = 9.182(1) Å, c = 12.043(1) Å, alpha = 104.62(1) degrees, beta = 90.26(1) degrees, gamma = 110.74(1) degrees, and Z = 4. The thermal behavior of the azides have been examined by TGA/DTA. The explosion sensitivity of [H(3)N(3)B(3)(N(3))(3)], which contains 82.58% nitrogen by weight, has been accessed by drop weight impact, spark, and friction tests. These measurements indicate that [H(3)N(3)B(3)(N(3))(3)] is a relatively sensitive explosive. The Staudinger reactivity of the azides with Ph(3)P was examined, and [H(3)N(3)B(3)(N(3))(3)] was found to produce [Ph(3)P=NH(2)](N(3)). The molecular structure of this compound was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques: orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 10.649(2) Å, b = 11.737(3) Å, c = 13.364(4) Å, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees, Z = 4.