Role of hydrogen bonding in modifications of impact sensitivities of high energetic materials: evidence from crystal structures and quantum chemical calculations
The development of new classes of high energetic materials (HEM) with high efficiency and low impact sensitivity is in the focus of
numerous experimental and theoretical studies [1]. However, the high efficiency of HEM molecules is usually related to the high
sensitivity towards detonation [2]. It is known that the sensitivity of HEM molecules towards detonation depends on many factors,
including oxygen balance, energy content, and positive values of electrostatic potential above the central regions of the molecular
surface. Analysis of positive values of molecular electrostatic potentials (MEP) showed to be an excellent tool in the assessment of
impact sensitivities of high energetic molecules since positive values of MEP above the central regions of molecules are associated
with high sensitivity towards detonation of HEM molecules [2]. Here we analysed the influence of hydrogen bonding on the values of
the electrostatic potentials of fragments of HEM molecules extracted from crystal structures [3].
Crystal structures of three selected high energetic molecules were extracted from Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) and analysed
in terms of non-covalent interactions. Three well-known HEM molecules were selected for the analysis: 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene (TNB),
2,4,6-Trinitrophenol (TNP), and 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT). Geometries of these molecules were used for electrostatic potentials
calculations and for the design of model systems for interaction energies calculations. Electrostatic potential maps were calculated for
TNB, TNP, and TNT geometries extracted from crystal structures for free molecules and molecules involved in hydrogen bonding.
Values of electrostatic potentials above the central regions of molecules were analysed and compared for non-bonded HEM molecules
and HEM molecules involved in hydrogen bonding.
Analysis of crystal structures showed that selected HEM molecules are involved in three types of hydrogen bonds: O-H…O-N
interactions, C-H…O-H interactions, and in the case of TNP molecule O-H…O-H interactions. Analysis of positive values of the
electrostatic potentials showed that hydrogen bonds have a significant influence on the values of the electrostatic potential in the
central regions of HEM molecules. Calculations performed at M06/cc-PVDZ level showed that in the case when HEM molecules are
involved in hydrogen bonding as hydrogen atom donors, positive values of electrostatic potentials in the centres of molecules
decreased by 20 – 25%. In the case when HEM molecules were involved in hydrogen bonding as hydrogen atom acceptors, positive
values of electrostatic potentials in the centres of HEM molecules increased by 10%.
Results presented in this study show that hydrogen bonds could be used as a tool for the modification of positive values of MEP above
the central regions of HEM molecules and for the modification of their sensitivities towards detonation. Moderate change of positive
electrostatic potential values above the central regions of HEM molecules upon formation of hydrogen bonds provide an opportunity
for fine-tuning of sensitivities of HEM molecules towards detonation
