Sri International

Ardica Technologies, Inc.

Paul E Penwell

Jeffrey C Bottaro

Robert J Schmitt

Mark A Petrie

David C Bomberger

David Stout

Robert E Wilson

David S Ross

Elisabeth McLaughlin

Henry Fong

Allen Dodge

Georgina Hum

Sigridur Suman

Systems and methods for producing microcrystalline alpha alane are provided herein. An exemplary process comprises the elimination of the crystallization aid lithium borohydride through the use of excess lithium aluminum hydride or sodium borohydride. Further exemplary processes comprise methods for passivating microcrystalline alpha alane using a weak acid in a nonaqueous solvent solution.

Crystallization and stabilization in the synthesis of microcrystalline alpha alane

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for heating alane etherate compositions for producing microcrystalline alpha alane. An exemplary heating method comprises introducing a preheated solvent into the alane etherate composition and rapidly stirring to effectuate rapid heating of the composition without the need to heat the reactor walls. In this way, the alane etherate composition can be heated while also reducing the risk of decomposition. In further embodiments, a two-stage reactor can be employed for producing alpha alane, wherein the heating occurs in the second stage.

Heating methods for aluminum hydride production

Systems and methods for producing microcrystalline alpha alane are provided herein. An exemplary process for producing microcrystalline alpha alane includes reacting lithium aluminum hydride and aluminum chloride in a solvent to produce alane etherate, filtering alane etherate from the reactant, combining the filtered alane etherate with a lithium borohydride solution to produce solids that include microcrystalline alane etherate, removing remaining solvent from the solids, creating a slurry from the solids and an aromatic solvent, and heating the slurry to convert the microcrystalline alane etherate to microcrystalline alpha alane.

Synthesis of microcrystalline alpha alane

A method is provided for enhancing the solubility of an ionizable compound in a lipophilic medium by admixing the compound with an effective solubility-enhancing amount of an N,N-dinitramide salt. The ionizable compound, upon ionization, gives rise to a biologically active cationic species that ionically associates with the N,N-dinitramide anion N(NO ) following admixture with the N,N-dinitramide salt. The biologically active cationic species may be a pharmacologically active cation, in which case the method is useful for enhancing the penetration of the blood-brain barrier by the pharmacologically active cation. In other embodiments, the ionizable compounds are medical imaging or diagnostic agents, or agricultural agents such as pesticides. Salts of biologically active cations and N,N-dinitramide ion are also provided as novel compositions of matter.

N,N-dinitramide salts as solubilizing agents for biologically active agents

The present invention features methods for preparing stabilized &agr;-AlH and &agr;&prime;-AlH , compositions containing these alane polymorphs, e.g., energetic compositions such as rocket propellants, and methods for using the novel polymorphs as chemical reducing agents, polymerization catalysts, and as a hydrogen source in fuel cells and batteries. The method produces stabilized alane by treating &agr;-AlH with an acidic solution that optionally contains a stabilizing agent such as an electron donor, an electron acceptor, or a compound which coordinates the Al ion.

Stabilized aluminum hydride polymorphs

Novel compounds are provided in the form of nucleoside pyrophosphate and triphosphate analogs. In these analogs, the pyrophosphate or triphosphate group is replaced with a moiety that is isosterically and electronically identical thereto, but is hydrolytically and enzymatically more stable. The compounds are useful as therapeutic agents, e.g., as antiviral agents, anticancer agents, metabolic moderators and the like. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of the invention as an active agent, and in addition provides methods of treating disease, including viral infections, cancer, bacterial infections, inflammatory and/or autoimmune diseases, and the like, by administering a compound of the invention to a patient in need of such treatment.

Perchloramido phosphonyl reagents and analogs thereof

Novel compounds are provided having the structural formula R&lsqb;&mdash;N(NO )&mdash;L&mdash;R &rsqb; wherein R, L, R and n are defined herein. The compounds are useful in a variety of contexts, but are primarily to be used as high energy oxidizing agents in explosive compositions, propellant formulations, gas-generating compositions and the like. The compounds are also useful as pharmaceutical agents. Compositions containing the compounds are also provided, including energetic compositions, as are methods for using the novel compounds and compositions.

Energetic nitramine-linked azoles and related compounds as oxidizers, initiators and gas generators

Nucleoside pyrophosphate and triphosphate analogs and related compounds

Novel compounds are provided having the structural formula R&lsqb;&mdash;N(NO,)&mdash;L&mdash;R,&rsqb;,wherein R, L, R,and n are defined herein. The compounds are useful in a variety of contexts, but are primarily to be used as high energy oxidizing agents in explosive compositions, propellant formulations, gas-generating compositions and the like. The compounds are also useful as pharmaceutical agents. Compositions containing the compounds are also provided, including energetic compositions, as are methods for using the novel compounds and compositions.

Energetic nitramine-linked azoles and hydroxylammonium salts as oxidizers, initiators and gas generators

The present invention features methods for preparing stabilized &agr;-AlH,and &agr;&prime;-AlH,, compositions containing these alane polymorphs, e.g., energetic compositions such as rocket propellants, and methods for using the novel polymorphs as chemical reducing agents, polymerization catalysts, and as a hydrogen source in fuel cells and batteries. The method produces stabilized alane by treating &agr;-AlH,with an acidic solution that optionally contains a stabilizing agent such as an electron donor, an electron acceptor, or a compound which coordinates the Al,ion.

Preparation of aluminum hydride polymorphs, particularly stabilized &agr;-alh3

Novel energetic compounds are provided comprising N,N'-azobis-nitroazoles or analogs thereof. The compounds are useful as igniter materials in a variety of energetic compositions, particularly gas-generating compositions for inflating automobile or aircraft occupant restraint devices. The compounds are also useful in solid rocket propellant compositions, and as primary explosives to be used as detonators, blasting caps, firearms, and the like. Methods for synthesizing the compounds and manufacturing energetic compositions therewith are provided as well.

N,N'-azobis-nitroazoles and analogs thereof as igniter compounds for use

Novel compounds are provided having the structural formula R[--N(NO.sub.2)--L--R.sup.1 ].sub.n wherein R, L, R.sup.1 and n are defined herein. The compounds are useful in a variety of contexts, but are primarily to be used as high energy oxidizing agents in explosive compositions, propellant formulations, gas-generating compositions and the like. The compounds are also useful as pharmaceutical agents. Compositions containing the compounds are also provided, including energetic compositions, as are methods for using the novel compounds and compositions.

Energetic nitramine-linked azoles and hydroxylammonium salts as

Novel energetic compounds are provided comprising N,N'-azobis-nitroazoles or analogs thereof. The compounds are useful as igniter materials in a variety of energetic compositions, particularly gas-generating compositions for inflating automobile or aircraft occupant restraint devices. The compounds are also useful in solid rocket propellant compositions, and as primary explosives to be used as detonators, blasting caps, firearms, and the like. Methods for synthesizing the compounds and manufacturing energetic compositions herewith are provided as well.

A method is disclosed for forming an ionically bonded dinitramide salt or acid useful as a stable oxidizer for solid fuel rocket propellant or explosive formulations is disclosed. The dinitramide salt is formed by the reaction of an N(alkoxycarbonyl)N-nitroamide and a nitronium-containing compound, at a temperature of from about +60.degree. C. to about -120.degree. C., followed by contacting the reaction mass with a base to form the dinitramide salt, or an alcohol to form the corresponding dinitramidic acid. The N(alkoxycarbonyl)N-nitroamide may be formed by first mixing the corresponding alkylcarbamate with an anhydride of one or more 1-20 carbon organic acids, then adding nitric acid to the reaction mixture. If the salt of the N(alkoxycarbonyl)N-nitroamide is to be formed, a base is then added until the pH reaches about 7-10. The nitronium-containing reactant may be a covalently bonded compound containing a NO.sub.2 -- group; a nitryl halide; or a nitronium salt having the formula (NO.sub.2.sup.+).sub.q X.sup.-q, where X is the anion of the nitronium salt and q=1-2.

Process for forming a dinitramide salt or acid by reaction of a salt or

A method for forming an ionically bonded ammonium dinitramide salt having the formula NH.sub.4.sup.30 N(NO.sub.2).sub.2 - useful as a stable oxidizer for solid fuel rocket propellant or explosive formulations is disclosed. The ammonium dinitramide salt is formed by the reaction of ammonia and a nitronium-containing compound, such as a nitronium salt or a covalently bonded compound containing a NO.sub.2 - group, at a temperature of from about - 20.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C. The nitronium-containing compound may be either a covalently bonded compound containing a NO.sub.2 - group or a nitronium salt having the formula (NO.sub.2.sup.+).sub.n X.sup.-n, where X is the anion of the nitronium salt and n= 1-2.

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Paul E Penwell