Study on synthesis of FOX-7 and its reaction mechanism

FOX-7 (1, 1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene) was synthesized by animation of intermediates which were prepared by nitration of 2-methylimidazole and its structure was characterized. 2-Methyl-4(5)-nitroimidazole and parabanic acid were separated from the filtrate of the intermediates. 2-Methyl-4(5)- nitroimidazole and parabanic acid were also synthesized by nitration of 2-methylimidazole under different conditions with the yield being 67.3% and 63.3% respectively. The reaction mechanism of nitration was discussed and proved by theoretical analysis and experimental facts. An important step was rearrangement of nitro group. FOX-7 was formed mainly by the following steps: 2-methylimidazole → 2-methyl-4, 5-dihydro-imidazol-5-one → 2-(dinitromethylene)-5, 5-dinitro-4-imidazolidinone→ 2-(dinitromethylene)- 4(5)-imidazolidinedione→ FOX-7. The formation of the intermediates was discussed, analyzed and proved. Based on this mechanism the formation and yield of FOX-7 and different intermediates were explained.