Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to novel branched chain hydroxy terminated aliphatic azido polymers and copolymers, and to a single step process for their production. The properties of the materials are preferably adjusted through the incorporation of suitable polyols which can provide additional branching of the materials.

Abstract: Novel energetic azido thermoplastic elastomers (ATPE's) are described. Such materials are useful as binders in energetic formulations to replace conventional inert thermosetting prepolymers. The ATPE's are easily formulated either by blending or chemically bonding an energetic azido elastomeric component and a thermoplastic component. The elastomeric component is a branched chain hydroxy-terminated azido polymer or copolymer. The thermoplastic component is a commercial polyether or polyethylene oxide.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to novel branched chain hydroxy-terminated aliphatic polyether copolymers containing glycidyl azide and an additional substituent selected from the group consisting of alkylene oxide, styrene azide oxide and glycidyl units, and a single step method for the manufacture thereof which involves reacting a solid rubbery material selected from epichlorohydrin/alkylene oxide copolymer (PEEC) and polyepichlorohydrin homopolymer (PECH) with various epoxide monomers. The novel polyether copolymers are useful as energetic binders in explosive and solid rocket propellant compositions.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to novel branched chain hydroxy-terminated aliphatic azido polymers and copolymers with variable molecular weight (MW) and a single step method for the preparation thereof which involves respectively reacting a high (MW) 0.5-5.0.times.10.sup.6) solid rubbery polyepichlorohydrin (PECH) homopolymer and epichlorohydrin/alkylene oxide copolymer (PEEC), with an alkali metal azide in a suitable organic solvent, in the presence of an initiator at elevated temperature. The MW of the azido product may be controlled by including in the reaction mixture a basic degradation catalyst (such as LiOCH.sub.3 or NaOH) and varying the amount of catalyst. When the reaction is catalyzed, the MW of the product varies within the range 1,000-40,000 and the hydroxyl functionality is 2-10. Uncatalyzed reactions yield products with MW between 40,000 and 200,000 and a functionality of about 10.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to novel branched chain hydroxy-terminated aliphatic azido polymers and copolymers with variable molecular weight (MW) and a single step method for the preparation thereof which involves respectively reacting a high (MW) 0.5-5.0.times.10.sup.6) solid rubbery polyepichlorohydrin (PECH) homopolymer and epichlorohydrin/alkylene oxide copolymer (PEEC), with an alkali metal azide in a suitable organic solvent, in the presence of an initiator at elevated temperature. The MW of the azido product may be controlled by including the reaction mixture a basic degradation catalyst (such as LiOCH.sub.3 or NaOH) and varying the amount of catalyst. When the reaction is catalyzed, the MW of the product varies within the range 1,000-40,000 and the hydroxyl functionality is 2-10. Uncatalyzed reactions yield products with MW between 40,000 and 200,000 and a functionality of about 10.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an improved process for the preparation of hydroxy-terminated aliphatic polyesters having alkyl substituents, such as glycidyl azide polymer. The improved process involves formation of the polymer in a single step starting from epichlorohydrin monomer. The reaction is effected in a suitable polar organic solvent at elevated temperature for 15 to 24 hours.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a process for the preparation of branched hydroxy-terminated aliphatic polyethers having alkyl azide substituents, having a structural formula ##STR1## and a molecular weight of abotu 500 to 40,000, and a process for the preparation thereof which comprises the single step of reacting a solid rubbery polyepichlorohydrin (PECH) of molecular weight of about 0.5-5.0.times.10.sup.6 with epichlorohydrin monomer (ECH) and an ionic azide selected from the group consisting of sodium azide, lithium azide and potassium azide, in a suitable organic solvent at elevated temperature, while agitating. According to a further aspect of the invention, the molecular weight of the polyether product may be controlled by adjusting the weight ratio of ECH:PECH, while maintaining a weight ratio of ionic azide: (ECH+PECH) of about 1:1.