ABSTRACT
Compounds containing both a readily oxidized and a readily reduced component within one molecule or within one ionic compound such as ammonium nitrate are uncommon since such species tend to have explosive properties. A molecule or ionic compound containing an internal oxidizer–reducer pair is inherently the most intimately mixed, high-energy material that can be prepared. The high-energy chemist can greatly expand his repertoire of materials by preparing mixtures, combining an oxidizing material with a fuel to produce the exact heat output and burning rate needed for a particular application. The selection of components for a particular energetic composition should be made using chemical logic, taking into consideration the desired heat output, burn rate, light intensity, color value, efficiency, ignitibility, and physical state of the reaction products. Oxidizing agents are usually oxygen-rich ionic solids that decompose at moderate-to-high temperatures, liberating oxygen atoms in some form.
