Process Optimization of CL-20 Preparation

The caged polynitramine explosive (CL-20) is one of the most powerful explosives whose performance parameters such as pressure and velocity of detonation, heat of formation, penetration and density are higher than the other common explosives. In this paper, all the synthetic methods and the explosion parameters of CL-20 have been reviewed and the most convenient method has been selected, clarified and optimized. Also, optimizing parameters such as crystallization solvents for CL-20 (ethyl acetate- heptane) and its intermediates (for HBIW, ethyl acetate), reaction temperature (for converting HBIW to TADB, 38-42 °C), and catalyst (Pd/C, 5% wet), a new nitration composition (nitric acid-sulforic acid, with ratio 1:1) has been introduced.