Process for the synthesis and recovery of nitramines

A method for heterocyclomethylating a nitrazaalkane, the method comprising:

• halogenating an N-acetoxymethyl nitrazaalkane having an azaalkane chain of at least five atoms to form an N-halomethyl nitrazaalkane, the N-halomethyl nitrazaalkane comprising at least one halomethyl moiety having a halogen atom, the halogen atom comprising a member selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine;
• substituting a heterocyclic nucleophile for the halogen atom of the N-halomethyl nitrazaalkane to form an N-heterocyclomethyl nitrazaalkane, said substituting taking place in a solvent that forms a clathrate with the N-heterocyclomethyl nitrazaalkane;
• and
• recovering the N-heterocyclomethyl nitrazaalkane from the clathrate by precipitation in a nonsolvent.