Kinetics of thermal decomposition of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane

Thermal decomposition of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW) in the solid state and in solution was studied by thermogravimetry, manometry, optical microscopy, and IR spectroscopy. The kinetics of the reaction in the solid state is described by the first-order equation of autocatalysis. The rate constants and activation parameters of HNIW thermal decomposition in the solid state and solution were determined. The content of N2 amounts to approximately half of the gaseous products of HNIW thermolysis. The thermolysis of HNIW and its burning are accompanied by the formation of a condensed residue. During these processes, five of six nitro groups of the HNIW molecule are removed, and one NO2 group remains in the residue, which contains amino groups and no C−H bonds.