Toward High-Energy and Low-Sensitivity Energetic Materials Based on a Fused [5,5,5,6]-Tetracyclic Backbone.

A route for fused [5,5,5,6]-tetracyclic energetic compounds based on the facile cyclization reaction has been explored. Fused [5,5,5,6]-tetracyclic compound 4 shows a high measured density (1.924 g cm -3 ), a low sensitivity (IS = 10 J, and FS = 144 N), and an excellent detonation velocity (9241 m s -1 ), which are much better than those of RDX. The results indicate that compound 4 is a potential candidate as a secondary explosive and provide new insight into the construction of fused polycyclic heterocycles.