From: ahahma@polaris.utu.fi (Arno Hahma)
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics
Subject: Re: NCl3
Keywords: Nitrogen-trichloride
Message-ID: <1991May3.080038.3731@polaris.utu.fi>
Date: 3 May 91 08:00:38 GMT

In article <1991Apr30.145122.13336@maverick.ksu.ksu.edu> lithium@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Homey) writes:

>Does anyone have any information on nitrogen-trichloride or other nitrogen-tri

Nitrogen trichloride is even more unstable than NI3NH3 - it explodes
from UV-light, like sunlight. It may even explode while being prepared,
since it is not soluble to water. It should be clear now it is not worth trying
to make this and even move the product after preparing it.

>nitrogen-trihalides have explosive/unstable properties?  If so how do they

I don't know about NBr3, if it is stable or not. NF3 is useful as a raw
material for high explosives, NF3 is stable. Some very powerful explosives
(both brisant and rich in energy) contain NF2-groups, that are made
of NF3. Polymers with NF2-groups can be used as binders for high impulse
rocket fuels giving more impulse than polybutadiene with ammonium
perchlorate. The explosives based on -NF2 can be used as oxidizer and
still more impulse is gained - in this case the whole fuel may be based
on fluorine as oxidizer. Isp in excess of 3000 Ns/kg has been obtained.
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                              R'
                                \
                                 /======\
                               /          \        O
                             /     ArNO     \    //
                             \\        2    //--N+
                              \\          //     \
                                \\______//         O-
                               /
                             R