Kinetics and mechanism of thermal decomposition of 5-dinitromethyl-2-methyltetrazole derivatives

5-Dinitromethyl-2-methyltetrazole derivatives in the melt and in dibutyl ph thalate decompose homolytically by a first-order reaction involving primary C-NO2 bond cleavage in the dinitromethyl function. Introduction of bulky s ubstituents (Br, Cl, I) in the dinitromethyl function increases the decompo sition rate constant. The rate constants and the activation energies of the decomposition of dinitro-substituted tetrazoles correlate with steric cons tants.