2,6-Di­amino-3,5-di­nitro­pyrazine

The title compound, C₄H₄N₆O₄, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, and is an energetic compound containing only C, H, N and O atoms, with a density of 1.812 Mg m⁻³. Thus, it is a very stable di­aza analog of 1,3,5-tri­amino-2,4,6-tri­nitro­benzene (TATB). Like TATB, it packs in planar graphite-like layers in the ab plane, with mol­ecules held together by intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Both compounds decompose at temperatures above 573 K and are insoluble in most common solvents. Crystals of the title compound are usually twinned (twins related by a 180° rotation about a*) and the crystal analyzed had a minor twin component.