First, Second and Third Generation High Energy Materials from Cubane
Abstract
New generations of super energetic materials are required for the S DI mission. Cubane is a very dense, exceptionally energetic hydrocarbon; its heat of formation, density, and strain energy are all extraordinarily high in combination unexceeded by any other stable hydrocarbon. This dense, energetic system has 8 identical methine C-H groups at which hydrogen may be replaced by energy-rich substituents. Such substitution can provide smoke free propellant components of enormous power, far superior to present-day metalized propellants. For example, tetrakis(dinitramino)cubane admixed with 15% BAMO/NMMP should have an Isp (into vacuum) 24 seconds greater than HAP with 15% HTPPB. Realizing even a fraction of this would lead to enormous payload enhancements. This project was designed to discover methods to attach highly oxidized, energetic groups onto the cubane nucleus. Specifically we are interested in developing the chemistry required to place nitro groups, trinitromethyl groups, fluorodinitromethyl groups, high-energy amine salts (e.g., perchlorates, nitrates, nitronates, etc, onto the cubane nucleus. These are very special groups, ones not often dealt with in organic synthesis. As these groups are neither ordinary nor easy to work with, manipulating them onto a cubane nucleus requires not only a fundamental understanding of cubane chemistry, but also development of new methodology tailored to the tasks at hand. The enormous strain energy in the cubane system (+161 kcal/mole) makes cubanes very different chemically from ordinary compounds. Thus, we developed innovative methodology, indeed a whole new chemistry, to prepare cubanes appropriate to SDI's goals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 29, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA247559
Entities
People
- Philip E. Eaton
Organizations
- University of Chicago