An energetic coordination compound Cu(Mtta)(2)(NO3)(2) has been synthesized by using 1-methyltetrazole (Mtta) as ligand and its structure has been characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction. The central copper (II) cation was coordinated by four 0 atoms from two Mtta ligands and two N atoms from two NO3- anions to form a six-coordinated and distorted octahedral structure. 20 superamolecular layer structure was formed by the extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonds between Mtta ligands and NO3- anions. Thermal decomposition process of the compound was predicted based on DSC and TG-DTG analyses results. The kinetic parameters of the first exothermic process of the compound were studied by the Kissinger's and Ozawa-Doyle's methods. Sensitivity tests revealed that the compound was insensitive to mechanical stimuli. In addition, compound was explored as additive to promote the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) by differential scanning calorimetry. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.