Decomposition Kinetics of Substituted Energetic Isowurtzitane Cage Molecules Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL‐20) and TEX: A Comparative Study.

N‐substituted hexa(N‐Nitro) compound 2,4,6,8,10,12‐Hexanitro‐2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexaazatetracyclo‐ [5.5.0.05,9.03,11] dodecane (HNIW or CL‐20) and the O‐substituted di(N‐Nitro)) compound 4,10‐dinitro‐2,6,8,12‐tetraoxa‐4,10‐diazatetracyclo[5.5.0.05,9.03,11]‐dodecane (TEX) are two interesting energetic Isowurtzitane cage molecules. To develop an understanding about the underlying phenomena during explosion/combustion, the thermal decomposition behaviour and kinetics of HNIW and TEX is studied. The solid phase decomposition of HNIW shows a dependence on the extent of reaction (α), while the liquid phase decomposition of TEX is independent of α. This point towards the multistep reaction kinetics involved in the HNIW decomposition and a single stage decomposition or unification of multistep reactions exhibited by TEX during the melt phase decomposition. However, the sublimation process in TEX is defined by different activation energy values. The experimental results are presented here and theoretical possibilities are being explored through quantum chemical studies. Our study aims to provide a link between the decomposition behaviour of Isowurtzitane cage molecules and their combustion behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]