[3] Nitrotriazolone is being progressively made use of in novel explosive formulations, such as IMX-101, a new, safer alternative to TNT specially devised in 2010 by BAE Systems, where it is combined with 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and nitroguanidine.

The Picatinny Arsenal has also adopted the implementation of NTO and DNAN in many of their likewise newly developed insensitive explosive mixtures, which share many of the same applications of the IMXs.

The keto form shows significantly different stability to heat, friction, and impact.

[7][5] In vivo studies showed the nitrotriazolone is absorbed through the skin and gastrointestinal tract.

In the kidneys, NTO is broken down into 5-amino-1,2,4-triazol-3-one, which undergoes oxidative denitrification and forms urazoles and nitrites in rats.