4 ms·
Well, bond tension by itself is not the indicator of explosiveness, isn't it? The N2 molecule has 3 bonds connecting 2 atoms and it is one of the most stable kn
by Evgeny 16y ago
Well, bond tension by itself is not the indicator of explosiveness, isn't it? The N2 molecule has 3 bonds connecting 2 atoms and it is one of the most stable known molecules.
- bjelkeman-again 16y agoMaybe Loic meant: "Insane high level of _potential_ bound tension coupled with a Cl detonator." (My emphasis.) It seems to me that the Cl atom is easily removed from the N-C bond, by something as simple as water vapor. My chemistry isn't great, but I would hazard a guess that even the slight polarity of the water molecule is enough to remove the Cl from the N-C bond, thereby the potential for explosive behavior. Info from the Wikipedia indicates as much: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorine_azide http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorine_azide
- timr 16y agoA triple-bond is not inherently unstable. In chlorine azide, though, you've got a strongly electronegative halide (chlorine) bound via tenuous single-bond to a partial triple-bond in the nitrogen compound. One of those nitrogens has a partial charge at all times. Bottom line: that chlorine wants to dissociate, badly. When it does, it's going to take the azide with it. It's like a chemical hair-trigger, waiting to be pulled by the nearest partial charge.