Crystal structure, spectrum character and explosive property of a new cocrystal CL-20/DNT

• A new cocrystal of CL-20 and DNT was prepared.
• Crystal structure and intermolecular interactions characterized by X-ray diffraction.
• Infrared and Raman spectra of the cocrystal were recorded and the assignment is analyzed.
• Thermal property and sensitivity of the new cocrystal explosive were tested.

A new cocrystal explosive of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazaiso-wurtzitane(CL-20) and 2,5-dinitrotoluene(DNT) in a molar ratio of 1:2 has been prepared by slow solvent evaporation method. Crystal structure of the cocrystal characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) reveals that the cocrystal is formed by intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions and belongs to the triclinic system with P−1 group. Moreover, the obivious differences of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns, infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy confirm that the intermolecular interactions have great influence for the crystal structure and formation of cocrystal. The cocrystal exhibits a lower impact height of 44 cm, suggesting a substantial reduction of sensitivity in comparison with CL-20. And thermal test results showed cocrystal obtains a lower melting point than DNT, which means huge advantages in blasting engineering.