The Nitrolysis Mechanism of 3,7‐Dinitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetraazabicyclo[3,3,1]nonane

Two intermediates, 1,5‐dinitroso‐3,7‐dinitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetraazacyclooctane (DNDS) and 1‐nitroso‐3,5,7‐trinitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetraazacyclooctane (MNX), were isolated and characterized in the synthesis of 1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetraazacyclooctane (HMX) from the nitrolysis of 3,7‐dinitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetraazabicyclo3,3,1]nonane (DPT) for the first time. When the nitrolysis of DPT was slowed down, two intermediates were detected with HPLC. It was proposed that electrophilic NO₂⁺ and NO⁺ from HNO₃ and N₂O₄ might attack nitrogen atoms at positions 3 and 7 of DPT to form the cations of the intermediates, then nucleophilic H₂O attacked the bridge carbon atoms of DPT to produce the intermediates, which were oxidized to form HMX.