Abstract:The geometries of β-octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (β-HMX) and its complexes with the pyrolysis products (NH3,ClO3) of ammonium perchlorate (AP) were optimized using density function theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31g(d) level. The bond dissociation energies for N—NO2 in β-HMX and its complexes at normal, 4 MPa and 6 MPa pressures were obtained. Results show that the geometrical configuration of HMX complexes with NH3 and ClO3 are similar to β-HMX structure. It indicates that, the equatorial nitryls of NH3—,ClO3— complexes are also prior to the axial nitryls in its pyrolysis process and there are trivial changes on the N—NO2 bond dissociation energies when β-HMX combines with NH3 or ClO3. However, once the complexes decompose, the product NO2 can react with NH3 more easily. This exothermic reaction may induce the subsequent pyrolysis process of HMX. The high pressure has no influence on the effects of NH3 and ClO3 on the initial pyrolysis mechanism of β-HMX.