Some Reactions of the Azotetrazole Anion with Dilute Mineral Acids

Abstract : The reactions of the azotetrazole (5,5'-azoditetrazole) anion with dilute nitric, sulphuric, hydrochloric, phosphoric, perchloric, acetic, carbonic acids and acidic ceric ammonium nitrate have been investigated. The degradation of the azotetrazole anion by dilute hydrochloric and dilute sulphuric acids has been confirmed to give 5-hydrazinotetrazole as proposed by Thiele. However other high nitrogen products have also been isolated; one of which is explosive. With dilute nitric acid the degradation gave, as well as gaseous products, 5- azidotetrazole whose salts, especially that of silver, are hypersensitive to mechanical stimulus.