Synthesis of CL-20 from TADB in a One-Pot Method by Zeolite/HNO3 as a New Nitrolysis System

Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) is the most powerful non-nuclear explosive in the world. Herein, a greener and safer new one-pot method for the synthesis of CL-20 from tetraacetyldibenzylhexaazaisowurtzitane (TADB) has been developed through zeolite/98% HNO3. The H-ZSM-5 catalyst, with both Brønsted and Lewis acid sites, indicated higher catalytic activity. The reaction using H-ZSM-5 has been optimized with respect to reaction temperature, reaction time, amount of acid and amount of catalyst to substrate ratio.