5-(Fluorodinitromethyl)-2H-tetrazole and its tetrazolates -- preparation and characterization of new high energy compounds.

5-(Fluorodinitromethyl)-2H-tetrazole (HFDNTz) has been prepared by the cycloaddition reaction of HN3 with F(NO2)2CCN, which in turn was prepared by aqueous fluorination of sodium dinitrocyanomethanide. HFDNTz was converted into the ammonium, silver and tetraphenylphosphonium 5-(fluorodinitromethyl)tetrazolates. While the reaction of trinitroacetonitrile with HBr, followed by the treatment with NaOH, resulted in the formation of sodium dinitrocyanomethanide, the reaction of trinitroacetonitrile with aqueous ammonia produced ammonium dinitrocyanomethanide. Hydrazinium dinitromethanide was obtained from trinitroacetonitrile and hydrazine hydrate. All compounds were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structure determinations. Initial safety testing (impact and friction sensitivity) and thermal stability measurements (DTA) were also carried out.