Synthesis, crystal structure of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid lead and its catalytic decomposition effect on AP and RDX

•2,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid lead (β-Pb) was synthesized and its single crystal structure was reported firstly.•β-Pb crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the space group of C2/m. It is a monoacid complex, two phenolic hydroxyl groups of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid don't provide any coordination action with lead ions.•β-Pb presents three continuous endothermic decomposition processes, one is the loss of coordinated water, and the other two are the decomposition processes.•For AP and RDX, the exothermic decomposition temperature and Ea can be significantly reduced, after the addition of β-Pb.