Increment of activity of Pd(OH)₂/C catalyst in order to improve the yield of high performance 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW)

ABSTRACT

CL-20 [2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW)] is a well-known high performance explosive. The reductive debenzylation of hexaazaisowurtzitane (HBIW) over supported palladium catalyst produces 2,6,8,12-tetraacetyl-4,10-dibenzyl-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (TADB). The effects of precipitation conditions of Pd(OH)₂ and the porosity of the activated carbon support on the activity of synthesized Pd(OH)₂/C catalysts in the debenzylation of HBIW are investigated here. The activity of Pd(OH)₂/C catalyst is considerably affected by the porosity of the activated carbon. The surface morphology of the synthesized catalysts is studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile analysis and transmission electronic microscope (TEM). Metal dispersion of Pd(OH)₂/C catalysts is changed by precipitation conditions of Pd(OH)₂.

KEYWORDS:

• debenzylation
• hexanitrohexaazaisow-urtzitane
• heterogeneous catalysis
• palladium catalyst
• precipitation

Acknowledgment

The Authors would like to thank the research committee of Kashan University for supporting this work.