Photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory studies of N-rich energetic materials

The geometric and electronic structures of molecular anionic energetic materials (EMs) DAAF (3,3'-diamino-4,4'-azoxyfurazan), FOX-7 (1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene), 5,5'-BT (5,5'-bistetrazole), and 1,5'-BT (1,5'-bistetrazole) are explored employing anionic photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The electron binding energies of the observed anionic, energetic material related species are determined and their corresponding anionic structures are assigned. Decomposition reactions for negatively charged EMs can proceed with different energy barriers, and thus mechanisms, from those for their related neutral EMs. Reactivity based on the anionic initial fragments of these EM species further reinforces their respective highly reactive and explosive nature. Fragment ions of the form EM^--H-X (X = N₂, N₂+NH, …) are additionally observed. Detection of such species suggests that EM^--H could serve as promising new candidates for EMs, assuming that such species are synthetically available, perhaps as energetic salts. Vertical detachment energies for transitions to the ground and first triplet electronic excited states of neutral matrix dye anion DCM^- are additionally determined.