Two Novel Melt-Cast Cocrystal Explosives Based on 2,4-Dinitroanisole with Significantly Decreased Melting Point

Typically, explosive formulations are processed in large anchor melt-cast kettles heated by hot water or steam under low shear conditions. Hence, it is difficult to use some melt-cast carrier explosives with high melting points (close to or even higher than the steam temperature), such as 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), 1,3,3-trinitroazetidine (TNAZ), and 3,4-bis­(3-nitrofurazan-4-yl)­furoxan (DNTF), for realizing applications with the continued operation of existing melt-cast facilities and without major plant modifications. To address this need, two novel melt-cast-able energetic cocrystals based on DNAN, namely, (1) DNAN/NA (2-nitroaniline) 1:1 and (2) DNAN/DNB (1,3-dinitrobenzene) 1:1, were obtained. The melting point of cocrystals 1 (67.5 °C) and 2 (48.0 °C) was distinctly lower than that of their coformers, namely, DNAN (95.0 °C), NA (71.5 °C), and DNB (89.5 °C). Moreover, they also exhibited better safety and thermostability compared with traditional melt-cast carrier explosives such as DNAN and trinitrotoluene (TNT). Thus, these novel DNAN cocrystals can provide new insights into the future design and modification of novel melt-cast carrier explosives.