The thermal stability of p-dimethylaminophenylpentazole (1) in the solid phase has been thoroughly investigated. The decomposition process of 1 has been verified by a combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), temperature-programmed FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. FTIR and Raman spectra were also calculated to corroborate the results. It was found that 1 could be handled below 20 C without any obvious deterioration, but it decomposed sharply at 56 C.The calculated FTIR and Raman vibrational frequencies were in accord with the experimental values.Scheme 1 Decomposition of p-dimethylaminophenylpentazole (1).