<p> The following document is a compilation of four manuscripts which were peer-reviewed and accepted for publication in the following scientific journals: <em>Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechniques</em>, <em>Crystal Growth & Design</em>, <em>Zeitschrift für Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie ZAAC</em>, and <em>Energetic Materials Frontiers</em>. This work, also, includes excerpts from the author’s review of energetic materials synthesized via reactions with nitroacetonitrile published by <em>RSC Advances</em>. The research presented is the result of a four-year graduate program in the School of Materials Engineering and as part of the Purdue Energetics Research Center (PERC). </p> <p>  </p> <p><em>1,2,4-Triazine Based Energetic Materials and Improved Nitro-Compound Synthesis</em> briefly addresses the history of energetic materials, key requirements, and ways to modify materials to meet those requirements before transitioning to the research synthesis and characterization. The discussion sections address the synthesis methods of the heterocyclic 1,2,4-triazine structure and alternative routes for the formation of nitro moieties. Also discussed are the methods for chemical characterization, thermal stability, mechanical sensitivity, and the theoretical calculations used to obtain energetic performances for comparison with traditional known explosive materials.</p> <p><br></p>