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This paper reviews the research and development work on CL-20, the most powerful high-energy material of today, as well as CL-20-based formulations. Methods of CL-20 synthesis and processes for obtaining a desired particle size are discussed. Particular attention is paid to optimization of conditions for obtaining the most stable high-density polymorph. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction appear to be effective means for distinguishing CL-20 polymorphs. The thermal decomposition pattern of CL-20 as well as the proposed decomposition and combustion mechanisms also form part of this manuscript. Investigations performed by various researchers show that its relatively high sensitivity needs special attention from the viewpoint of CL-20 preparation and processing of formulations based on this substance. Salient features of CL-20-based explosives and gun/rocket propellants studied are included into this review. CL-20 may be ranked as the most attractive compound for futuristic explosive and propellant formulations. The research activities performed by the authors on synthesis and characterization of CL-20 are briefly described.

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This paper reviews the recent work carried out in the field of modern high-energy materials (HEMs) with the emphasis on homoleptic polynitrogen compounds. A large volume of quantum-chemical investigations have predicted the possibility of existence of polynitrogen compounds not only as short-lived transient species but also in the form of isolable discrete molecules. Despite the theoretical speculations, only a few polynitrogen ions are known today in addition to well-entrenched N 1− 3 discovered almost 100 year ago. Extraordinary potential of these green molecules to deliver high amounts of energy in comparison with today's and tomorrow's most powerful HEMs, namely, hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) and octanitrocubane (ONC), has fuelled the imagination of propellant and explosive engineers and technologists. Research activities are in progress in many quantum-chemical schools to explore the possibility of other promising polynitrogen compounds. After the recent discovery of key synthons/building blocks Mg(N 5 ) 2 , N 1+ 5 SbF 1− 6 , N 1+ 5 SbF 11 , N 1+ 5 , N 1+ 5 SnF 6 , and N 1+ 5 Sn(CF 3 ) 4 , the wealth of polynitrogen compounds is just waiting to be harvested by the HEMs community. There are ambitious plans all over the globe to realize N 60 , which only prove a eco-friendly dense powerhouse of energy.