The solubility and recrystallization of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene in a 3-ethyl-1-methylimidazolium acetate–DMSO co-solvent system

Ionic liquids have previously been shown to dissolve strong inter- and intramolecular hydrogen-bonded solids, including natural fibers. Much of this solubility is attributed to the anions in ionic liquids, which can disrupt hydrogen bonding. We have studied the solubility and recrystallization of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB), a very strong inter- and intramolecular hydrogen-bonded solid, in various ionic liquid solvent systems. We discovered that acetate-based ionic liquids were the best solvents for dissolving TATB, while other anions, such as Cl−, HSO4− and NO3− showed moderate improvements in the solubility compared to conventional organic solvents. Ionic liquid–DMSO co-solvent systems were also investigated for dissolving and recrystallizing TATB.