Synthesis,Characterization, and Combustion Catalytic Activities of Copper(II) and Lead(II) Salts of p‐Nitrocalix[n]arenes (n=4, 6, 8)

Six copper(II) and lead(II) salts of p‐nitrocalix[n]arene (n=4, 6, 8) were synthsized and characterized. The DSC curves of all salts showed exothermic decomposition. Sensitivity studies revealed that all the salts with the exception of the lead salt of p‐nitrocalix[6]arene (NCPb6) are relatively insensitive materials. Investigations of the catalytic activities showed that most of the salts displayed high activities in thermal decomposition of NC‐NG and RDX. As evaluated in this work, the salts enhanced the burning rates of both double base (DB) and RDX‐component modified double base propellants. The best catalytic effect was obtained with NCPb6, which increased the burning rate of the DB propellant to the order of about 200 % (2–6 MPa) and 103–198 % (8–20 MPa) while decreasing the pressure index (n) to 0.22 (20–22 MPa).