Abstract
A scalable synthesis of 5-(trinitromethyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (TNMTO) is possible from commercially available 2-methylpyrimidine-4,6-diol. It exhibits high density (1.90 g cm(-3)) with comparably low thermal stability (Td = 80 degrees C) and positive oxygen balance (OBco = 20.51%, OBCO2 = 0.0%). TNMTO has an attractive combination of detonation properties (P = 35.01 GPa, D = 8997 ms(-1)) and propulsive properties (Isp( neat) = 251.85 s,.Isp(( neat)) = 478.52 gs cm(-3), C* o neatTHORN 1/4 1501ms(-1)). These are superior to ammonium dinitroamide (ADN), 2,2,2-tetranitroacetimidic acid (TNAA) and ammonium perchlorate (AP), making it a potential green oxidizer in solid rocket propulsion.