<p>Energetic materials containing catenated nitrogen chains have attracted considerable attention from chemists because of their high heats of formation and unique properties. Although researchers have studied compounds with catenated nitrogen chains for more than 100&#xa0;years, designing compounds with longer nitrogen chains and excellent energetic properties has long been a research&#xa0;hotspot in the field of energetic materials. The properties of the&#xa0;synthesized catenated nitrogen chain-containing energetic materials demonstrate their promising application prospects in explosives, pyrotechnics, and propellants, as well as significant research value. This prompted this review, which summarizes the synthetic methods and properties of energetic materials containing N₅–N₁₁ and N₁₈ chains to establish a valuable theoretical basis for the extension of catenated nitrogen chains.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>