Synthesis of Potential High-Energy Fuels
Abstract
The synthesis of multigram quantities of 1,3,3-trimethylcyclopropene was accomplished using a modified literature procedure. The stability of this material towards different conditions was studied. Oxygen reacts with the neat material to quickly form a thick polymeric gum which eventually solidifies to a white solid. In the presence of Lewis acids such as untreated glass or metals such as stainless steel or copper, neat cyclopropene will form a 2+2 dimeric product in high yield. Hydrocarbon solutions (e.g. RP-1) of the cyclopropene are much more stable to these mild Lewis acid conditions but will also produce the dimeric product. A multigram sample of the cyclopropene was sent for testing in the microthruster at Phillips Laboratory. A convenient large scale synthesis of 3-chloro-2-chloromethylpropene was developed starting with pentaerythritol. This compound serves as the starting material for a two step synthesis of 1.1.1 propellane.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 13, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA267508
Entities
People
- William P. Dailey
Organizations
- University of Pennsylvania