Societe Nationale Des Poudres Et Explosifs

Snpe

Herve Graindorge

Jean-Claude Mondet

Charles-Henry Vincent

Philippe Bescond

Helene Mace

Process for producing the epsilon polymorphic form of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane. According to the process which is the subject-matter of the invention, a saturated solution of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane of any polymorphic form is prepared in a mixture comprising a solvent chosen from esters, nitrites, ethers and ketones, except acetone, and a non-solvent chosen from aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons, the solvent being more volatile than the non-solvent. This saturated solution is subsequently seeded with a few crystals of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane of epsilon polymorphic form and then the mixture is concentrated by evaporation of the solvent. This process is simple, is economical and can be easily extrapolated to the industrial stage. It makes it possible to obtain particle size fractions within the 10 .mu.m-100 .mu.m range with smooth grains with regular facies. Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane, in particular the densest epsilon form, is useful as oxidizing or explosive charge in pyrotechnic compositions.

Process for producing the epsilon polymorphic form of

The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of haloalkylferrocenes, comprising a first stage of reaction, in the presence of AlCl.sub.3 as catalyst and in organic solvent medium, of a carboxylic acid halide or anhydride with ferrocene or an alkylferrocene. After this stage, without prior isolation of the intermediate compound, a metal hydride is added to the reaction mixture. The haloalkylferrocenes are particularly useful as intermediates in the synthesis of combustion catalysts for propellants.

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Vert le Petit, France

Herve Graindorge