3,3‐Bis(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO) Synthesis via Pentaerythritol Tosyl Derivates

3,3‐Bis(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO) is the most widely known azido oxetane in terms of the number of its polymers and copolymers applied as energetic binders e.g. in rocket propellants and plastic formulations of explosive materials. However, this compound continues to be a rather expensive monomer today. The aim of this study was to find a suitable synthetic route to produce this monomer in a large scale and to optimize it. The chosen route of synthesis was based on the application of tosyl pentaerythritol derivatives as the starting material. The BAMO synthesis by this method involves three stages, namely: pentaerythritol tosylation, tritosylpentaerythritol cyclization to 3,3‐bis(tosylmethyl)oxetane (BTMO), and substitution of the BTMO tosyl groups with azido groups. In this work all the stages of the synthesis were optimized. BAMO was obtained in an overall yield of 61 %. The structure of the obtained compounds was verified by two techniques, namely: ¹HNMR and FT‐IR.     

Preliminary Characterization of Propellants Based on p(GA/BAMO) and pAMMO Binders

In previous papers, the synthesis and characterization of OH‐terminated glycidyl azide‐r‐(3,3‐bis(azidomethyl)oxetane) copolymers (GA/BAMO) and poly‐3‐azidomethyl‐3‐methyl oxetane (pAMMO) by azidation of their respective polymeric substrates were described. The main objective was the preparation of amorphous azido‐polymers, as substitutes of hydroxy‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) in new formulations of energetic propellants. Here, the subsequent characterization of both the binders is presented. First of all, several isocyanates were checked in order to optimize the curing reaction, and then two small‐scale formulations of a propellant, based on aluminium and ammonium perchlorate, were prepared and characterized. Finally, the mechanical properties and burning rate were compared to those of a similar propellant based on HTPB as binder.     

Structure of Urethane Copolymers of 3,3‐Bis(azidomethyl)oxetane and 3‐Azidomethyl‐3‐methyloxetane

Polyurethane copolymers of 3,3‐bis (azidomethyl) oxetane (BAMO) and 3‐azidomethyl‐3‐methyloxetane (AMMO) with molecular structures of types B(AB)n, A(AB)n, (BB)n and ABn with different ratios of oligomeric units were investigated, where A is the non‐crystallizable “soft” block of oligoAMMO and B is the “hard” block of oligoBAMO and the included urethane diol fragments. The amorphous‐crystalline structures of copolymers BAMO and AMMO were elucidated by wide angle X‐ray diffraction measurements. The influences of the molecular structure and the ratio of oligomeric units on the structural parameters were identified. The degree of crystallinity is in a range from 8 to 22 % and sizes of the crystallites were determined. The defectivenesses of first and second kind in the structure were evaluated, which show high values of the first kind defectiveness (approx. 20 %), which describes the displacement of theoretical lattice sites and the existence of unequal sizes of the lattice sites, and minor values for the second kind defectiveness (approx. 3 %), which describes the lattice site disorder in large distances. Small‐angle X‐ray diffraction measurements were used to investigate the domain structures of copolymers BAMO and AMMO. The distribution and sizes of the crystallites in the structures of the copolymers were calculated.     

Synthesis of Poly(3,3‐Bis‐Azidomethyl Oxetane) via Direct Azidation of Poly(3,3‐Bis‐Bromo Oxetane)

In order to avoid using highly unstable and sensitive monomer 3,3‐bis‐azidomethyl oxetane, poly(3,3‐bis‐azidomethyl oxetane) (PBAMO) was successfully synthesized via azidation of poly(3,3‐bis‐bromo oxetane) (PBBrMO) in the aprotic and polar solvent cyclohexanone in the presence of a catalyst. It was found that the azidation proceeded very fast and almost completed in 6 h when the reaction temperature was up to 115 °C. PBAMO was characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR).     

Probing the compatibility and interaction of energetic binders based on 3,3‐bis(azidomethyl)oxetane with some explosives: thermal,interfacial and simulation studies

Several polymer binders based on 3,3‐bis(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO) were studied to explore the compatibility and interaction of the energetic binders with three common energetic oxidants. The compatibilities were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and ratings were obtained according to evaluated standards. The results showed that all the binders based on BAMO had good compatibility with cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, cyclotetramethylenetetranitroamine and hexanitrohexazaiso‐wurtzitane. The work of adhesion (W_a) between binders and explosives was tested via measurement of contact angle and the results are in the following order: chain‐extended poly(3,3‐bis(azidomethyl)oxetane) (PBAMO) by isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI‐CE) with diethyl bis(hydroxymethyl) malonate (IPDI‐DBM‐CE) > chain‐extended PBAMO by IPDI‐CE > PBAMO. In addition, similar results were found in the binding energies reported by molecular dynamics, and the average values of E_binding for the IPDI‐DBM‐CE system were larger than E_binding for the other systems due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between –COOEt and –NO₂, which improve the bonding abilities. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and Characterization of Deuterated Glycidyl Azide Polymer (GAP)

Decomposition mechanisms of propellants are of great interest in understanding performance issues of chemical propulsion systems. The characterization of physico‐chemical properties of glycidyl azide polymer (GAP), specifically deuterated analogs, was investigated in this study. The purpose of this new approach is to identify the key steps in thermal decomposition mechanism of GAP. The present work shows that the use of deuterated GAP is a good method to study the decomposition pathway of energetic polymers. The polymerization process was successful, but was nevertheless affected by the use of the isotopic monomer since the resulting polymers had a slightly lower molecular weight. The chemical characterization of the deuterated GAPs by NMR and FTIR confirm the structure of these new polymers. The TGA analyses show a larger weight loss during the first step of decomposition for labeled GAP suggesting that molecular nitrogen and heavier compounds are produced simultaneously.     

Low Risk Synthesis of Energetic Poly(3‐Azidomethyl‐3‐Methyl Oxetane) from Tosylated Precursors

Azidated oxetanic polymers such as poly(3‐azidomethyl‐3‐methyl oxetane), are under investigation as “energetic” binder to be used as an alternative to polybutadiene in solid rocket propellants. The classic synthetic route for the production of the polymer is through an azidated monomer where the N₃⁻ functionality has been previously introduced by nucleophilic displacement of a suitable, usually a halogen, leaving group. However, this could involve critical steps with manipulation of a highly unstable liquid monomer. Here it is shown that the azidation can be performed as the final step of the preparation by substitution of the tosyl group in a preformed polymer. The procedure assures good yield and purity of the product and satisfactory rate of reaction, being the energetic functionality always kept in a safe form, which shows low shock and friction sensitivity. Poly(3‐azidomethyl‐3‐methyl oxetane) was prepared by azidation of poly(3‐tosyloxymethyl‐3‐methyl oxetane) in dimethylsulfoxide, testing several operating conditions. Moreover, hypothesizing a second order kinetics, the rate constant and the activation energy for the azidation step have been estimated.     

Glycidyl Azide‐Butadiene Block Copolymers: Synthesis from the Homopolymers and a Chain Extender

Glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) is an “energetic” alternative to hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), but has poorer mechanical properties. Since HTPB‐GAP mechanical blends are markedly biphasic, the use of block copolymers may be the solution to join the advantages of both. The copolymers were synthesized from the homopolymers by using two chain extenders: hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and adipoyl chloride (AdCl). Both reagents gave homogeneous and stable polymeric mixtures, but with HDI there are risks of gelation during reaction. Therefore, the product obtained with AdCl is the best candidate to be used as binder or as compatibilizer in GAP‐HTPB mechanical blends.     

3,3-双溴甲基氧丁环的合成

以三溴新戊醇(TBNPA)为原料,在碱作用下,分别采用以乙醇作溶剂的均相法和以溴化四丁基铵作相转移催化剂的两相法(甲苯/水)合成了3,3-双溴甲基氧丁环(BBMO)。相转移催化两相合成法的收率(90.8%)明显高于均相合成法(65.6%)。在均相法中,真空蒸馏残留物为未发生反应的三溴新戊醇,约占TBNPA投料质量的20%;而在相转移催化法中,真空蒸馏残留物主要是液态低聚醚,约占TBNPA投料质量的8%。     

Synthesis and Characterization of 3,3′‐Bisazidomethyl Oxetane‐3‐Azidomethyl‐3′‐Methyl Oxetane Alternative Block Energetic Thermoplastic Elastomer

3,3′‐Bisazidomethyl oxetane‐3‐azidomethyl‐3′‐methyl oxetane (BAMO‐AMMO) tri‐block copolymer was successfully synthesized by azidation of a polymeric substrate containing bromo leaving groups, and an alternative block energetic thermoplastic elastomer (ETPE) was prepared by chain extension reaction. The tri‐block copolymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that the composition of the copolymer is nearly 1 : 1; crystallinity of the copolymer (71.81 %) is less than that of PBAMO (78.30 %). This is due to a partly mixture between soft and hard segments. Kinetic result shows that a crosslinking network is formed after the decomposition of azide group. Tensile strength of alternative block ETPE is 150 % of traditionally synthesized BAMO‐AMMO ETPE.     

Characterization of poly(trimethylene/butylene terephthalate) copolymer prepared by the copolycondensation of bis(3‐hydroxypropyl terephthalate) and bis(4‐hydroxybutyl terephthalate)

Homopolymers and copolymers were synthesized by polycondensation and copolycondensation, with varying feed ratios of bis(3‐hydroxypropyl terephthalate) (BHPT) and bis(4‐hydroxybutyl terephthalate) (BHBT) at 270°C. In addition, in the mol ratio of 1:1, copoly(trimethylene terephthalate/butylene terephthalate) [P(TT/BT)], with reaction times of 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 min, was synthesized to identify the chain‐growth process of the copolymers. From differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data, it was found that a random copolymer might be formed during copolycondensation. The molecular structure of copolymers, formed through the interchange reaction of BHPT and BHBT, was investigated using carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹³C‐NMR). We calculated the sequence‐length distributions of trimethylene and butylene sequences and randomness in the copolymers using ¹³C‐NMR data. From the values of the number‐average sequence length calculated, it was determined that a random copolymer was produced: This result coincides with previous DSC data. The lateral spacing of the unit cell of the copolymer increased slowly when the mol percent of one monomer was increased to that of the other monomer, indicating broadening of the unit cell by lateral distortion. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2200–2205, 2003     

Bis(azidomethyl) oxetane/hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene/bis(azidomethyl) oxetane triblock copolymer: Synthesis and characterization

A copolymer consisting of bis(azidomethyl) oxetane and hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene was synthesized with different monomer ratios via an activated monomer mechanism. The copolymer thus obtained was characterized with Fourier transform infrared, ¹H‐NMR, molecular weight, and polydispersity measurements. Rhe‐ological and thermal studies were also carried out. The mechanical properties of the gum stock obtained through curing with toluene diisocyanate and crosslinking with pyrogallol at about 50°C were also determined. This was an attempt to combine the useful properties of hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (a nonenergetic binder providing excellent mechanical properties) and poly[bis(azidomethyl) oxetane] (an energetic binder). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Properties and Application of a Novel Type of Glycidyl Azide Polymer (GAP)‐Modified Nitrocellulose Powders

GAP‐modified nitrocellulose powders were prepared by an internal solution method and applied in cross‐linked modified double base (XLDB) propellants. It was found that GAP‐modified nitrocellulose powders exhibit high round, no bonding between the particles and excellent fluidity. When the amount of GAP increased from 10.0 % to 30.0 %, the median diameter (d₅₀) of powders decreased from 134.53 μm to 94.54 μm. The thermal decomposition process of GAP appeared also in the GAP‐modified nitrocellulose powders, but the thermal decomposition peak temperatures of  N₃ and the GAP main chain were found to be lower for the 10.0 % and 20.0 % GAP‐modified samples than the corresponding peak temperatures for pure GAP, respectively. The plasticizing properties of GAP‐modified nitrocellulose powders are better than that of pure nitrocellulose powders, and the drop weight impact sensitivity of the modified powders is reduced as the mass ratio of GAP increases. It was experimentally shown that GAP‐modified nitrocellulose powders can improve the mechanical characteristics of the propellant with a maximum tensile strength (σ_m) between 0.36 MPa<σ_m< 1.10 MPa and an elongation at maximum tensile strength (ε_m) between 28.8 %<ε_m<51.8 % at temperatures of −40, +20 and +50 °C.     

Synthesis and properties of novel poly(urethane‐imide) dispersions based on 2,2‐bis[N‐(3‐hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidyl]hexafluoropropane

Imide units are incorporated into thermoplastic and solvent‐based polyurethane (PU) chains to improve the thermal stability of PU. However, these poly(urethane‐imide) (PUI) materials have poor processablity and suffer from solvent emission. To prepare easily processable and environmentally friendly PUI products, some waterborne PUIs are synthesized using a prepolymer process. A series of PUI dispersions with 25 wt % solid content, viscosities of 7.5–11.5 cps, and particle sizes of 63–207 nm was prepared. The composition–property relationship of PUIs, including the solubility behavior of PUI cast films, and their thermal and mechanical properties were established. The solvent resistance and tensile strength of PUI film increased with the number of imide groups. All PUIs exhibited improved thermal stability but not char yield as the temperature increased. The inclusion of a little imide increased the decomposition temperature of PUI while maintaining the elasticity of the polymer, revealing successful translation of PUI into the water‐based form. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Synthesis and characterization of 4,5‐bis(4‐fluorobenzoyl)‐1‐methylcyclohexene and its polyethers

A new difluoride 4,5‐bis(4‐fluorobenzoyl)‐1‐methylcyclohexene (DFKK) has been prepared with fumaryl chloride, fluorobenzene, and 2‐methyl‐1,3‐butadiene as starting materials through two steps of reactions. This DFKK monomer undergoes reaction with 2,2‐(p‐hydroxyphenyl)‐iso‐propane (BPA) in the presence of excess anhydrous potassium carbonate in sulfolane to give a high molecular weight reactive poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK) that is very soluble in solvents such as chloroform and N,N‐dimethylformamide at room temperature, has glass transition temperature of 182°C, and is easily cast into flexible and bale ivory film with tensile strength of 64 MPa. The 5% weight loss temperature is 407°C. Ring‐closing reaction of PEKK with hydrazine gives cyclized PEKK (CPEKK) with improved thermal stability and reduced solubility. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1866–1871, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10454     

Synthesis and characterization of new cardo poly(ether imide)s derived from 9,9‐bis [4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]xanthene

A series of new cardo poly(ether imide)s bearing flexible ether and bulky xanthene pendant groups was prepared from 9,9‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]xanthene with six commercially available aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) via the poly(amic acid) precursors and subsequent thermal or chemical imidization. The intermediate poly(amic acid)s had inherent viscosities between 0.83 and 1.28 dL/g, could be cast from DMAc solutions and thermally converted into transparent, flexible, and tough poly(ether imide) films which were further characterized by X‐ray and mechanical analysis. All of the poly(ether imide)s were amorphous and their films exhibited tensile strengths of 89–108 MPa, elongations at break of 7–9%, and initial moduli of 2.12–2.65 GPa. Three poly(ether imide)s derived from 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride, 4,4′‐sulfonyldiphthalic anhydride, and 2,2‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl))hexafluoropropane anhydride, respectively, exhibited excellent solubility in various solvents such as DMAc, N,N‐dimethylformamide, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone, pyridine, and even in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature. The resulting poly(ether imide)s with glass transition temperatures between 286 and 335°C had initial decomposition temperatures above 500°C, 10% weight loss temperatures ranging from 551 to 575°C in nitrogen and 547 to 570°C in air, and char yields of 53–64% at 800°C in nitrogen. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Synthesis and properties of new poly(amide‐imide)s based on 2,5‐bis(trimellitimido)chlorobenzene

A series of new aromatic poly(amide‐imide)s were synthesized by the triphenyl phosphite‐activated polycondensation of the diimide‐diacid, 2,5‐bis(trimellitimido)chlorobenzene (I) with various aromatic diamines in a medium consisting of N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), pyridine, and calcium chloride. The poly(amide‐imide)s had inherent viscosities of 0.76–1.42 dL g⁻¹. The diimide‐diacid monomer (I) was prepared from 2‐chloro‐p‐phenylenediamine with trimellitic anhydride. Most of the resulting polymers showed an amorphous nature and were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents, including NMP and N,N‐dimethylacetamide. Transparent, flexible, and tough films of these polymers could be cast from N,N‐dimethylacetamide or NMP solutions. Their cast films had tensile strengths ranging from 74 to 95 MPa, elongations at break from 7 to 11%, and initial moduli from 1.38 to 3.25 GPa. The glass transition temperatures of these polymers were in the range of 233°–260°C, and the 10% weight loss temperatures were above 450°C in nitrogen. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1691–1701, 1999     

Synthesis and Energetic Properties of Bis‐(Triaminoguanidinium) 3,3′‐Dinitro‐5,5′‐Azo‐1,2,4‐Triazolate (TAGDNAT): A New High‐Nitrogen Material

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of bis‐(triaminoguanidinium)‐3,3′‐dinitro‐5,5′‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazolate (TAGDNAT), a novel high‐nitrogen molecule that derives its energy release from both a high heat of formation and intramolecular oxidation reactions. TAGDNAT shows promise as a propellant or explosive ingredient not only due to its high nitrogen content (66.35 wt.‐%) but also due to its high hydrogen content (4.34 wt.‐%). This new molecule has been characterized with respect to its morphology, sensitivity properties, explosive, and combustion performance. The heat of formation of TAGDNAT was also experimentally determined. The results of these studies show that TAGDNAT has one of the fastest low‐pressure burning rates (at 6.9 MPa) measured till date, 6.79 cm s⁻¹ at 6.9 MPa (39% faster than triaminoguanidinium azotetrazolate (TAGzT), a comparable high‐nitrogen/high‐hydrogen material). Furthermore, its pressure sensitivity is 0.507, a 33% reduction compared to TAGzT.     

Synthesis and characterization of new poly(amide‐imide)s based on 1,4‐bis(trimellitimido)‐2,5‐dichlorobenzene

A series of new aromatic poly(amide‐imide)s were synthesized by the triphenyl phosphite‐activated polycondensation of the diimide‐diacid, 1,4‐bis(trimellitimido)‐2,5‐dichlorobenzene (I), with various aromatic diamines in a medium consisting of N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), pyridine, and calcium chloride. The poly(amide‐imide)s had inherent viscosities of 0.88–1.27 dL g⁻¹. The diimide‐diacid monomer (I) was prepared from 2,5‐dichloro‐p‐phenylenediamine with trimellitic anhydride. All the resulting polymers were amorphous and were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents, including NMP and N,N‐dimethylacetamide. Transparent, flexible, and tough films of these polymers could be cast from N,N‐dimethylacetamide or NMP solutions. Cast films had tensile strengths ranging from 92 to 127 MPa, elongations at break from 4 to 24%, and initial moduli from 2.59 to 3.65 GPa. The glass transition temperatures of these polymers were in the range of 256°–317°C, and the 10% weight loss temperatures were above 430°C in nitrogen. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 271–278, 1999     

Synthesis and characterization of new cardo poly(bisbenzothiazole)s from 1,1‐bis(4‐amino‐3‐mercaptophenyl)‐4‐tert‐butylcyclohexane dihydrochloride

A new monomer 1,1‐bis(4‐amino‐3‐mercaptophenyl)‐4‐tert‐butylcyclohexane dihydrochloride, bearing the bulky pendant 4‐tert‐butylcyclohexylidene group, was synthesized from 4‐tert‐butylcyclohexanone in three steps. Its chemical structure was characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MS, FTIR, and EA. Aromatic poly(bisbenzothiazole)s (PBTs V) were prepared from the new monomer and five aromatic dicarboxylic acids by direct polycondensation. The inherent viscosities were in the range of 0.63–2.17 dL/g. These polymers exhibited good solubility and thermal stability. Most of the prepared PBTs V were soluble in various polar solvents. Thermogravimetric analysis showed the decomposition temperatures at 10% weight loss that were in the range of 495–534°C in nitrogen. All the PBTs V, characterized by X‐ray diffraction, were amorphous. The UV absorption spectra of PBTs V showed a range of λ_max from 334 to 394 nm. All the PBTs V prepared had evident fluorescence emission peaks, ranging from 423 to 475 nm with different intensity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2000–2008, 2006