Computational Studies of Energetic Strained Molecules: Properties and Syntheses of Tetrahedrane and Triprismane Systems

Abstract

We have carried out ab initio self-consistent-field computational analyses and evaluations of nitro, amino nitro/amino and nitro/methyl derivatives of the strained polyhedranes tetrahedrane, triprismane and their aza analogues. 3-21 G optimized geometries were computed, and used to calculate bond deviation indices (as measures of bond strain), bond orders (to determine relative bond strengths), molecular electrostatic potentials and surface average local ionization energies (as guides to reactive behavior), isodesmic reaction energies (as measures of total molecular strain) and relative stabilities of isomers. Specific impulse calculations showed that aza derivatives are favored over their hydrocarbon analogues as high performance monopropellants. From standpoints of stability, synthesis and high performance, we recommend that nitro and nitro-amino derivatives of azatetrahedranes and azatriprismanes be further explored as high energy density target systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 19, 1990
Accession Number
ADA232857

Entities

People

  • Peter Politer

Organizations

  • University of New Orleans

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analogs
  • Chemical Compounds
  • Chemistry
  • Contractors
  • Energetic Materials
  • Energy
  • Geometry
  • Heat Of Formation
  • High Energy
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Ionization
  • Materials
  • Molecular Orbital Theory
  • Platonic Hydrocarbons
  • Propellants
  • Quantum Chemistry
  • Specific Impulse

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Quantum Chemistry