A method is disclosed for forming a N,N-dinitramide salt having the formula MN(NO.sub.2).sub.2 where M is a cation selected form the class consisting of a metal ion and a nitrogen-containing ion, which comprises contacting a carbamate with a nitrating agent to form an acidic dinitramide intermediate reaction product, and neutralizing the acidic dinitramide with a compound selected from the class consisting of ammonia (NH.sub.3), hydrazine (N.sub.2 H.sub.4), a primary amine having the formula RNH.sub.2, a secondary amine having the formula RR'NH, and a salt having the formula AX; where R and R' are the same or different 1-6 carbon alkyls, A is a metal ion or a nitrogen-containing ion, and X is an anion selected from the class consisting of fluoride, chloride, hydroxyl, carbonate, alkoxide, and carboxyl anion, to form the corresponding dinitramide salt.