FOX-7

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FOX-7

IUPAC name	1,1-Diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene
Other names	2,2-Dinitro-1,1-ethenediamine FOX-7 FOX7
Identifiers
CAS number	[145250-81-3]
SMILES	N/C(N)=C([N+]([O-])=O)\[N+]([O-])=O
Properties
Molecular formula	C₂H₄N₄O₄
Molar mass	148.08
Density	1.885 g cm^-3
Melting point	238 °C (decomp.)
Explosive data
Explosive velocity	8870 m/s at density 1.885 g cm^-3 (estimated) 8335 m/s at density 1.756 g cm^-3 (measured, small scale testing)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

FOX-7 or 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene is an insensitive high power explosive compound. It was first synthesized in 1998 by the FOA Defence Research Establishment (Sweden). ^[1]

FOX-7 is similar to the insensitive chemical compound TATB, which is a benzene ring compound with three amino and three nitro groups. FOX-7 has a linear two-carbon backbone rather than a benzene ring, but the amino and nitro groups have similar effects in both cases according to published reports on sensitivity and chemical decay processes of FOX-7. FOX-7 is today produced by Eureco Bofors AB in Sweden.

Its explosive properties appear extremely favorable; in addition to its insensitive properties, the detonation velocity of mixtures of 80% FOX-7 plus binders are as high as Composition B, and nearly pure FOX-7 based plastic bonded explosives are slightly superior to RDX. ^[2] FOX-7 has been calculated to have a detonation velocity of 8,870 m/s.^[1]

Due to its small-scale production, the cost of FOX-7 is relatively high. However, the production is based a commercial starting material and the synthesis is uncomplicated. The price is therefore predicted to fall as production scale increases. There is no current full scale use of FOX-7, but it is being tested at several military research centers. The need for less sensitive munition is the most important driver for testing FOX-7.