SBIR-STTR Award

Preparation of caged nitramines has led to significant research aimed at converting these precursors into compounds of interests such as CL-20. This unique ability highlights the fine balance required from electronic and steric contributions in the formation of the cage structure. We propose to develop a low-cost alternative synthesis of CL-20 based on gaining insight as to the nature of this fine balance.

Benefit:
The alternative chemistry proposed herein would potentially offer a two-step sequence to CL-20 from inexpensive reagents using standard conditions and result in high yields.

Keywords:
CL-20, CL-20, Low-cost, oxidizer, novel precursor, energetic, Performance

Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) is the most powerful conventional explosive known, but its high cost has limited its adoption in a range of potential applications. Part of the challenge in making these materials is the complexity of the reaction used to prepare the polycyclic cage. The complexity of this reaction makes it difficult to have insight into the reaction and to improve it. Additionally, several of the intermediates and reaction (by)products are challenging analyze with typical analytical techniques such as RP-HPLC. In the research program proposed herein, we would apply cutting-edge analytical techniques in combination with flow chemistry techniques to collect detailed data about the relevant chemical reactions while also enabling access to process conditions that would be inaccessible using batch techniques.

Benefit:
Accordingly, the alternative chemistry proposed herein will be optimized and developed to enable commercialization of low-cost CL-20, the most powerful explosive known to man.

Keywords:
energetic, flow chemistry, continuous processing, novel precursor, low-cost CL-20, oxidizer