As an important high density energetic material, synthesis and application of 1,3,3-trinitroazetidine (TNAZ) are desirable. In this paper TNAZ was synthesized in 34% overall yield using a five-step synthetic route starting from nitromethane, paraformalclehyde and ten - butylamine. The structures of intermediates and TNAZ were determined by IR, ~1H NMR, ~(13)C NMR and MS spectra. Except the third and fifth steps, water was used as reaction media, which decreased production cost of TNAZ and environmental pollution. The conditions and factors on reaction conversion rate were also discussed.

Key words: NITROGEN HETEROCYCLICS;NITRO COMPOUNDS;CYCLOBUTANE P;METHANE P, POLYOXYMETHYLENE;BUTANAMINE;IR;1HNMR