A simple method is used to predict heats of sublimation of energetic compounds, which include nitroaromatics, nitramines, nitroaliphatics and nitrate esters. Molecular weight, some specific functional groups and structural parameters are fundamental factors in the new model. The root-mean-square deviation (rms) from experiment has been calculated for the predicted results of 92 different compounds. The calculated results for 15 compounds are also compared with complicated quantum mechanical computations, where computed outputs were available. The rms deviations of new correlation and reported quantum mechanical method are 9.9 and 13.8 kJ/mol, respectively. The present method improves earlier efforts of previous models through its application for important classes of energetic compounds, which contain the energetic bonds Ar-NO2, N-NO2, C-NO2 and C-O-NO2. (C) 2009 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.