Flow chemistry and the synthesis of energetic materials
Flow chemistry is seen as a disruptive innovation that expands chemistry’s horizon and opens up new market possibilities. In addition to pharmaceutical applications, flow chemistry is expanding into organometallic chemistry, fine chemicals, polymers, peptides, nanomaterials, and energetic materials synthesis.
In Chapter 2 of this report, we review the principles of flow chemistry, and highlight the potential benefits compared to performing reactions in batch mode. For example, flow reactors facilitate the fast dissipation of heat created during highly exothermic reactions, such as mixing of sulfuric-nitric acid, nitration reactions, or possible side reactions such as oxidation of nitro-aromatic compounds. Heat transfer rate in flow reactors can be magnitudes of orders faster than in a batch reactor and this prevents the hot-spot generation that can stimulate side reactions or runaway reactions to occur.
In Chapter 3 of this report, we review over 40 publications concerning the application of flow chemistry to synthesise energetic materials. The compounds concerned include nitro compounds, polynitrogen compounds, azides, styphnates, peroxides, peracids and energetic ionic liquids. Around three quarters of the publications were published during the last 10 years.
Looking to the future, a more widespread adoption of flow chemistry for synthesis of energetic materials could – as part of a broad range of initiatives – contribute to enhanced safety in the production of explosives.
KYPRIANOU Dimitris;
RARATA Grzegorz;
EMMA Giovanni;
DIACONU Gabriela;
VAHCIC Mitja;
ANDERSON David;
2022-03-09
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC128574
978-92-76-49122-4 (online),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 31010 EN,
OP KJ-NA-31010-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC128574,
10.2760/097972 (online),
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