Synthesis of 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-3-amino)-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene and its thermal and explosive behaviour

1,3-Bis(1,2,4-triazo1-3-amino)-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (BTATNB) has been synthesized by condensing 1,3-dichloro-2,4, 6-trinitrobenzene and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole in dimethyl formamide (DMF) at 125 +/- 2 degrees C. The product has been characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry. The data on thermal and explosive properties indicate that BTATNB is slightly more thermally stable than 3-picrylamino-1,2,4-triazole (PATO). At the same time, it is safer towards impact and friction.