A Review of Recent Progress in the Field of Fused Heterocyclic Energetic Materials

In this study, the synthesis, physicochemical properties and energetic performance of fused heterocycle based energetic materials with two or more rings are investigated. These compounds have been considered with a coplanar polycyclic structure, higher heats of formation (HOF) and ring-strain energy stored in the molecules. Good energetic performance, high thermal stability and low sensitivity toward destructive mechanical stimuli increase the safety of the synthesis, transfer, and storage of high- density energetic compounds. These properties make fused heterocyclic compounds a suitable alternative to conventional high-energetic materials for military and civilian applications Among the compounds studied, some of them have explosive performance comparable or higher than conventional explosives such as TNT, HMX, RDX or CL-20 and lower sensitivity to external stimuli. They are suitable candidate for replacement of conventional explosives. Because of their high specific impalse, some of them are suitable for use in high-performance propellant formulations. Also, the difference between melting point and decomposition temperature makes these fused heterocycles suitable as melt cast explosive.