Fully Active Nitrogen Energetic Chains Mg₂(N₅)₂N₂[Mg₂(N₅)₂N₂]_n under Ambient Conditions

Abstract

Pentazolate anion (cyclo‐N5−) is a high energy density unit that has been synthesized. However, how to make cyclo‐N5− complexes stable under ambient condition, without the presence of nonenergetic components, such as H3O+ and NH4+, has always been a challenge. In this work, a fully active nitrogen energetic chain Mg2(N5)2N2[Mg2(N5)2N2]n (denoted as ANECn, n ≥ 1) is reported, which has high nitrogen content up to 78%. More importantly, first‐principles calculations and molecular dynamics simulations confirm the stability of this structure without external supports. Further electronic structure analysis indicates that the charge transfer from Mg to cyclo‐N5− leads to strong covalent bonds, which promotes the stability of cyclo‐N5− in the chain structures. This finding can contribute to rational design and synthesis of novel high‐energy density materials.