Sodium borohydride → sodium tetrakis(5-(trinitromethyl)-2H-tetrazolyl)borate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A 150 mL glass ampule equipped with a grease free high-vacuum PTFE valve and a TEFLON™ coated stir bar was flamed-out under vacuum. Inside the dry-box, the ampule was loaded with 876 mg (4.00 mmol) 5-(trinitromethyl)-2H-tetrazole and 37.8 mg (1.00 mmol) sodium borohydride. The ampule was connected to a vacuum line, evacuated and cooled to −196° C. About 5 mL of dry dimethoxyethane was slowly condensed into the ampule. The ampule was closed and allowed to warm to ambient temperature. As soon as the solvent melted and contacted the solid mixture at the bottom of the ampule gas evolution started. The mixture was then stirred for about 30 minutes at ambient temperature. The clear, light yellow solution was cooled to −196° C., and the evolved hydrogen pumped off. The ampule was closed off and heated to 60° C. while stirring. After 3 hours, an orange solution was obtained and the temperature was raised to 80° C. After 24 hours, the solution was allowed to cool to ambient temperature and then cooled to −196° C., the evolved hydrogen pumped off and the reaction mixture allowed to warm to ambient temperature. Subsequent evacuation to a constant weight over 24 hours resulted in a yellow solid of sodium tetrakis(5-(trinitromethyl)-2H-tetrazolyl)borate, 1.0 mmol.

Provenance & Evidence