This Is The Most Energy-Rich Molecule In The World

Published at : 23 Dec 2025

This is the most energy-rich molecule in the world and has twice as much energy as previous explosives. A research group from Giessen has succeeded in isolating a highly energy-rich molecule from nitrogen. Namely, hexanitrogen. At −196°C, it remains stable for decades and could even be used as rocket fuel. Experts in the field even describe the discovery as Nobel Prize-worthy! Find out what's behind the new molecule, how it's produced, and why it's such a breakthrough!

This video was created by my editorial team. Responsible from the editorial team: Nina Bürger, Tabea Desch, Jacob Beautemps; Editing: Aron Kamenz, Romy Gruetter, Neo Sanjuan Thiele

Chapters:
00:00 The Most Energy-Rich Molecule In The World
01:11 What's Nitrogen?
02:11 Polynitrogen Compounds
03:46 Hexanitrogen
05:04 Hexanitrogen Production
06:36 Probable Applications
07:23The Big Hurdle
09:40 Conclusion

Sources:

Source 1:
https://www.spektrum.de/news/hexastickstoff-energiereichstes-jemals-hergestelltes-molekuel/2271567
Source 2:
https://www.uni-giessen.de/de/ueber-uns/pressestelle/pm/pm86-25chemikerderjlustellenerstmalshexastickstoffher
Source 3:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09032-9
Source 4:
https://www.derstandard.de/story/3000000274965/chemiker-stellten-erstmals-n6-her-das-energiereichste-molekuel-der-welt
Source 5:
https://www.bundestag.de/resource/blob/930740/0a31b71a40c1f0c6048f156685765eca/WD-5-148-22-pdf-data.pdf
Source 6:
https://www.bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de/Redaktion/DE/Artikel/Energie/Energiespeicher/speicher-fuer-die-energiewende.html
Source 7:
https://www.chemie.de/lexikon/Sprengstoff.html
Source 8:
https://www.chemie.de/lexikon/Stickstoff.html
Source 9:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666647223000441
Source 10:
https://pro-physik.de/nachrichten/polynitrogen-fuer-lange-weltraumfluege
Source 11:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-12530-w
Source 12:
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/most-energetic-molecule-ever-made-is-stable-in-liquid-nitrogen/4021662.article
Source 13:
https://www.chemicalbook.com/ChemicalProductProperty_DE_CB6852078.html

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