An energetic material 3,4-bis(4-nitrofurazano-3-yl)furoxan was synthesized using dicyanopropane as starting material through nitrosation, rearrangement, oximation, dehydration cyclization, dimerization and oxidation etc. steps with total yield of 43%. Its molecular structure was confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹⁵N NMR, INADEQUATE, MS and elemental analysis. The properties of DNTF had been tested in our experiments , the results showed that density was 1.937 g/cm³, melting point was 109～110 ℃, detonation velocity was 8930 m/s (ρ＝1.870 g/cm³), friction sensitivity was 44%～60% (90°), impact sensitivity was 80%～96% (10 kg, 25 cm), H₅₀ was 38.9 cm, explosion point was 315～340 ℃, explosion heat was 5789 J/g (ρ＝1.83 g/cm³), explosion strength was 168.4% of TNT, and deflation volume was 1.09 mL (5 g, 100 ℃, 40 h) in vacuum stability test. Its thermal stability was identified by DSC and TG techniques, and compatibility was investigated by vacuum stability test. The experimental results showed that DNTF had better thermal stability and its thermal decomposition was 253.56 ℃ (peak), the compatibility of DNTF was better and might be compatible with some general energetic materials, such as 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX), 2-methyl-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNT) etc. Because of its high energy, low melting point, moderate mechanical sensitivity and good compatibility, DNTF could be used as an effective liquid-phase carrier in melt-cast explosives.

Key words: 3,4-bis(4-nitrofurazano-3-yl)furoxan (DNTF), synthesis, characterization, properties