Aerojet-general Corporation

USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Gerald E Manser

Thomas G Archibald

Aslam A Malik

Roland P Carlson

John E Immoos

Robert M Hajik

Roland P Carson

This invention relates to novel neopentyl difluoroamino compounds which are useful as plasticizers and oxidizers in energetic formulations, such as propellants, explosives, and gasifiers. These neopentyl difluoroamino compounds can be prepared either: (1) by the direct fluorination of amine derivatives containing energetic pendant groups; or (2) by first preparing NF.sub.2 -derivatives and then substituting these derivatives with energetic pendant groups. In particular, mono- and bis-(difluoroaminomethyl) oxetanes are synthesized and further reacted to yield the corresponding dinitrate esters. It has been discovered that these NF.sub.2 -dinitrate esters are very useful as energetic plasticizers in high-energy formulations.

Neopentyl difluoroamino compounds for use in energetic formulations

This invention relates to novel multifunctional oxetanes, i.e., compounds having multiple oxetane groups, which are useful as initiators in the preparation of star polymers and polymer cascades containing energetic groups. In addition, this invention relates to a process for the preparation of star polymers and polymer cascades, whereby novel multifunctional oxetanes act as initiators in the formation of theses polymers. The reaction of these initiators with various propagating, high-energy oxetanes, such as 3,3-bis-(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO) and 3-nitratomethyl-3-methyloxetane (NMMO), gives star polymers with varying molecular weights and functionalities. The star polymers and polymer cascades of the present invention are useful as binders in high-energy formulations.

Preparation and polymerization of initiators containing multiple oxetane

This application is directed to novel fluorinated polymers and prepolymers derived from mono-substituted oxetane monomers having fluorinated alkoxymethylene side-chains and the method of making these compositions. The mono-substituted fluorinated oxetane monomers having fluorinated alkoxymethylene side-chains are prepared in high yield by the reaction of a fluorinated alkoxides with either 3-halomethyl-3-methyloxetane premonomers or aryl sulfonate derivative of 3-hydroxymethyl-3-methyloxetane premonomers. Preparation of a mono-substituted 3-bromomethyl-3 -methyloxetane premonomer via a simple, high yield process amenable to commercial scaleup is also disclosed. The fluorinated oxetane monomers of this invention can be readily homo/co-polymerized in the presence of a Lewis acid and polyhydroxy compounds to obtain hydroxy-terminated polyether prepolymers having fluorinated alkoxymethylene side chains. Additionally, the fluorinated oxetane monomers can be copolymerized with non-fluorinated monomers such as tetrahydrofuran to give polyether prepolymers with improved hydrocarbon compatibility. These prepolymers are polydisperse and exhibit number average molecular weights from 5,000 to about 50,000. These prepolymers are amorphous oils with primary hydroxy end-groups and thus function efficiently as the soft block for the synthesis of a variety of thermoset/thermoplastic elastomers and plastics having the characteristics of very low surface energy, high hydrophobicity, low glass transition temperature and low. coefficient of friction. The polyurethanes derived from the prepolymers of this invention are elastomeric and, in addition to the above characteristics, exhibit high moisture resistance, high tear strength and excellent adhesion to a variety of substrates.

Preparation of mono-substituted fluorinated oxetane prepolymers

This invention relates to a process for the preparation of mono- and bis(azidomethyl)oxetanes. These compounds are prepared by combining a mono- or bis-X-oxetane (wherein X is, for example, a tosylate, mesylate, halogen, etc.) with an aqueous solution of a metallic azide and a phase transfer catalyst. Mono- and bis(azidomethyl)oxetanes can be polymerized to form homopolymers and copolymers with load bearing polyether backbones and highly energetic pendant groups. Such homopolymers and copolymers of the present invention are useful as energetic binders in high-energy formulations, such as propellants, explosives, and gasifiers.

Solvent-free process for the synthesis of energetic oxetane monomers

3-Azidomethyl-3-nitratomethyloxetane, a novel oxetane compound, is used as a monomer for the formation of homopolymers and copolymers with other known energetic oxetane monomers. The polyethers of the present invention can be subsequently cured to form elastomers suitable for use as energetic binders in propellant formulations or the like.

3-Azidomethyl-3-nitratomethyloxetane

The present invention provides an improved method of carrying out cationic polymerization of cyclic ether monomers substituted with high-energy, electron-withdrawing pendant groups (e.g., BAMO and NMMO). Such cyclic ether monomers are polymerized with an initiator precursor (i.e., an alcohol) and boron trifluoride tetrahydrofuranate (BF.sub.3 .cndot.THF). It has been discovered that when boron trifluoride tetrahydrofuranate is used as a catalyst in the cationic polymerization of cyclic ether monomers substituted with high-energy, electron-withdrawing pendant groups (e.g., BAMO and NMMO), polymers are produced that have improved functionality and low poly-dispersity. The polymers formed using the method of the present invention are useful for forming cross-linked elastomers which, in turn, are useful for forming elastomeric binders for high-energy compositions, such as propellants, explosives, gasifiers or the like.

Polymerization of energetic, cyclic ether monomers using boron

Polymers and copolymers from 3-azidomethyl-3-nitratomethyloxetane

This invention relates to novel oxetanes containing neopentyl difluoroamino groups. More specifically, mono- and bis-(difluoroaminomethyl)oxetanes are synthesized. These compounds are prepared by the direct fluorination of blocked neopentyl amines. These mono- and bis-(difluoroaminomethyl)oxetanes can be polymerized to form homopolymers and copolymers with load beating polyether backbones and highly energetic pendant groups. The homopolymers and copolymers of the present invention are useful as energetic binders in high-energy formulations, such as propellants, explosives, and gasifiers.

Difluoroamino oxetanes and polymers formed therefrom for use in

This invention relates to novel oxetanes containing neopentyl difluoroamino groups. More specifically, mono- and bis-(difluoroaminomethyl)oxetanes are synthesized. These compounds are prepared by the direct fluorination of blocked neopentyl amines. These mono- and bis-(difluoroaminomethyl)oxetanes can be polymerized to form homopolymers and copolymers with load bearing polyether backbones and highly energetic pendant groups. The homopolymers and copolymers of the present invention are useful as energetic binders in high-energy formulations, such as propellants, explosives, and gasifiers.

Nitrato alkyl oxetanes are synthesized directly from the corresponding hyxy alkyl oxetanes by nitrating the hydroxy alkyl oxetane under non-acidic anhydrous conditions. A hydroxy alkyl oxetane is reacted with an anhydrous nitrate ester of a carboxylic acid at temperatures below about 10.degree. C. The product of the method, nitrato alkyl oxetane, is produced in relatively high yield without opening of the oxetane ring.

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El Dorado Hills, CA, United States of America

Gerald E Manser