Tetrazene Explained

Tetrazene is a chemical compound with the molecular formula H₂NN=NNH₂. It is a colorless explosive material. An analogue is the organosilicon derivative (tms)₂NN=NN(tms)₂ where tms is trimethylsilyl. Isomeric with tetrazine is ammonium azide.

Tetrazene explosive, commonly known simply as tetrazene, is used for sensitization of priming compositions.

Properties

Tetrazene has eleven isomers.^[1] The most stable of these is the straight-chain 2-tetrazene (H₂N-N=N-NH₂), having a standard heat of formation at 301.3 kJ/mol. The eleven isomers can be arranged into three groups: straight-chain tetrazenes, four-membered cyclotetrazane, and three-membered cyclotriazanes. Each straight-chain tetrazene isomer possesses one N=N double bond and two N-N single bonds.^[1] Tautomerizations do occur between the isomers. The ionic compound ammonium azide is also a constitutional isomer of tetrazene.

Organometallic derivatives

A variety of coordination complexes are known for R₂N₄^2- (R = methyl, benzyl).^[2]

Notes and References

1. Li, L.-C. . Shang, J. . Liu, J.-L. . Wang, X. . Wong, N.-B. . A G3B3 study of N₄H₄ isomers . Journal of Molecular Structure . 2007 . 807 . 1–3 . 207–10 . 10.1016/j.theochem.2006.12.009 .
2. 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.8b00140. Synthesis and Electronic Structure Diversity of Pyridine(diimine)iron Tetrazene Complexes. 2018. Bowman. Amanda C.. Tondreau. Aaron M.. Lobkovsky. Emil. Margulieux. Grant W.. Chirik. Paul J.. Inorganic Chemistry. 57. 16. 9634–9643. 29620870.