Bis(2‐Methyl‐3,5‐Dinitrophenyl)diazene N‐Oxide – Characterization of 2,4,6‐Trinitrotoluene Energetic Degradation Product

New optimized method for the synthesis of 2‐amino‐4,6‐dinitrotoluene (2ADNT) and bis(2‐methyl‐3,5‐dinitrophenyl)diazene N‐oxide (2AzODNT) from 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) was developed. 2AzODNT was fully characterized by using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H, 13C), infrared spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis coupled with thermogravimetry. The crystals of 2AzODNT were observed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The heat of combustion and the standard enthalpy of formation for the synthesis product were determined. The detonation parameters of 2AzODNT were calculated with a thermochemical code and experimentally measured. Due to the high detonation performance, the good thermal stability and low sensitivity to mechanical stimuli, 2AzODNT is an attractive low‐sensitivity high explosive. Moreover, the synthesis of 2AzODNT from old TNT can be an effective method of TNT utilization.