Thermal decomposition and molecular structure of 5-aminotetrazolium nitrate

The thermal decomposition of 5-aminotetrazolium nitrate (5-ATZN) was studied at a heating rate of 10 °C/min from 50 to 600 °C/min by DSC and TG techniques. Two intense exothermic processes are observed and the solid decomposition residues were thermally stable cyclic azines. Crystals of 5-ATZN were obtained from the aqueous solution by slow evaporation at room temperature. They crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/c with crystal parameters: a=1.0606(2) nm, b=0.35065(4) nm, c=1.4641(2) nm, β=90.63(1)°, V=0.5444(1) nm3, Z=4, Dc=1.807 g/cm3, μ(Mo Kα)=0.168 mm−1, F(000)=304. The structure consists of NO3− anions and [5-ATZH]+ cations, of which the 4-N was protonized. Electrostatic interaction and intermolecular hydrogen bonds assemble the ions into 2D layered structures.