Two new coordination compounds [Cu(ethylenediamine)(2)(nitroformate)(2)] and [Cd(ethylenediamine)(3)](nitroformate)(2) were synthesized and characterized through elemental analysis, IR and UV spectra. Their crystal structures were determined through X-ray single crystal diffraction. The first compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P (1) over bar; the second one crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca. For the first compound, central Cu(II) ion is hexa-coordinated with two ethylenediamine ligand molecules and two nitroformate anions to form the centrosymmetric octahedral structure. For the second one, central Cd(II) ion is hexa-coordinated with three ethylenediamine ligand molecules to form the slightly distorted octahedra. Through hydrogen bonds, molecules are linked together to form the three-dimensional packing diagrams. Thermal decomposition mechanisms of these two compounds were predicted through DSC, TG-DTG and FTIR analyses. In addition, the impact sensitivity, friction sensitivity and flame sensitivity were measured. All observed properties show that the first one has high energy, good thermal stability and moderate flame sensitivity. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.