Metal complexes for use as gas generants

A gas generating composition formulated from ingredients comprising:

• at least one complex of
• a metal cation
• ammonia ligand, and
• sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the metal complex,
• wherein said composition contains about 50% to about 80% by weight of said complex and said anion;
• a binder and a co-oxidizer such that the binder has a concentration in the gas generating composition from 0.5% to 10% by weight;
• and
• a co-oxidizer in an amount of from 5% to 50% by weight of said gas generant composition.

An air bag system for a vehicle comprising:

• a collapsed, inflatable air bag;
• a gas-generating device connected to the air bag for inflating the air bag, wherein the gas-generating device contains a gas-generating composition formulated from ingredients comprising:
• a complex of a transition metal cation and ammonia ligand, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the metal cation;
• and
• an igniter to ignite the gas-generating composition.

A vehicle equipped with a supplemental restraint system, said supplemental restraint system including an air bag system which comprises:

• a collapsed, inflatable air bag;
• a gas-generating device connected to the air bag for inflating the air bag, wherein the gas-generating device contains a gas-generating composition comprising:
• a complex of a transition metal cation and ammonia, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the metal cation;
• and
• an igniter to ignite the gas-generating composition.

A gas generant composition which is formulated from ingredients which comprises

• at least one complex of a metal cation and at least one neutral ligand which comprises ammonia, wherein said metal cation is a transition metal cation or an alkaline earth metal cation, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the metal cation;
• at least one of
• binder;
• or
• a small but effective amount of carbon powder whereby the crush strength of the composition is increased compared to the composition without the carbon powder;
• and
• optionally inorganic co-oxidizer in an amount less than 50% by weight of said composition.

A vehicle equipped with a supplemental restraint system, said supplemental restraint system including an air bag system which comprises:

• (i) a collapsed, inflatable air bag;
• (ii) a gas-generating device connected to the air bag for inflating the air bag, wherein the gas-generating device contains a gas-generating composition which is formulated from ingredients which comprise
• at least one complex of a metal cation and at least one neutral ligand which comprises ammonia, wherein said metal cation is a transition metal cation or an alkaline earth metal cation, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the metal cation;
• at least one of
• binder;
• or
• a small but effective amount of carbon powder whereby the crush strength of the composition is increased compared to the composition without the carbon powder;
• and
• optionally inorganic co-oxidizer in an amount less than 50% by weight of said composition;
• and
• (iii) an igniter to ignite the gas-generating composition.