Comparison of 1-Propyl-5H-tetrazole and 1-Azidopropyl-5H-tetrazole as Ligands for Laser Ignitable Energetic Materials

Laser ignitable explosives are potential candidates in future applications for replacing toxic and very sensitive primary explosives, which are used in current devices. In this study, the literature unknown ligand 1-azidopropyl-5H-tetrazole (APT, 1) was synthesized for the first time and applied in energetic coordination compounds (ECC). The complexes are based on different 3d transition metals (Mn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) as well as various oxidizing anions (NO3–, ClO4–, and ClO3–) and were tested toward their capability as laser ignitable explosives. Furthermore, analogous complexes based on the literature known ligand 1-propyl-5H-tetrazole (PT, 2) were investigated for comparing the influence of the additional azide group toward the performance of the ECC. Toxicity measurements using Vibrio fischeri and the decreased sensitivities prove their usability as safer laser ignitable explosive with lower toxicities compared to currently used explosives.