The effect of high pressure on the
phase transition behaviors of
4-toluenesulfonyl azide (C7H7N3O2S, 4-TsN3) have been investigated by Raman scattering
and angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction (ADXRD) measurements in diamond
anvil cells up to ∼15.6 GPa at room temperature. The liquid
4-TsN3 (phase I) begins to transform into solid state (phase
II) at 0.7 GPa, and turns to phase III at about 2.7 GPa, then going
to phase IV at about 6.3 GPa. The phase IV of 4-TsN3 finally
starts to turn into an amorphous state above 10.6 GPa. The first phase
transition (phase I to phase II) of 4-TsN3 is triggered
by the rearrangement of CH···π interaction,
and the second phase transition (phase II to phase III) is attributed
to the conformational change, then the rotation of sulfonyl leads
to the third phase transition (phase III to phase IV). The variation
of sulfonyl has an influence on the behavior of azide group which
will bend and further decompose upon compression. In the process of
amorphization, the lattice structure of 4-TsN3 abnormally
expanded, which may be caused by the change of CH···π
interactions. We anticipate that the high pressure study of 4-TsN3 provides information toward further understanding and optimizing
synthesis conditions of the polymeric nitrogen using azides as starting
materials, especially using organic azides.