Abstract: The use of novel new heterocyclic borane and carborane salt ingredients for use as energetic, high density propellant fuels and fuel additives, or for gas generator and hydrogen storage applications. These subject and unique heterocyclic borane and carborane salts are comprised of both aromatic and non-aromatic heterocyclic cations with the necessary borane and/or carborane anions. Such salts with partially fluorinated borane or carborane anions would be candidate ingredients for metallized (e.g. boron, aluminum) propellant formulations. The high density provided by these unique heterocyclic borane and carborane compounds will be attractive for volume-limited propulsion systems.

Abstract: The invention comprises a novel preparation of energetically substituted diether compounds and novel diether compounds not previously reported. In one embodiment certain isomeric forms of dibromoalkanes are converted to corresponding isomers of bromoalkyl trifluoromethanesulfonate esters by reaction with silver trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate) in a variety of solvents. The triflate substituent in the bromoalkyl triflate esters is then easily displaced by alcohols, including non-nucleophilic ones such as those that contain nitro. The intermediates are similarly reacted to make energetic diethers, selectively under mild conditions. The energetically substituted diether compounds are particularly useful as energetic curatives and plasticizers for rocket propellant binders as well as stable solid oxidizers and industrial explosives.

Abstract: Vinyl ethers are prepared by reacting divinyl ether with a primary alcohol in the presence of a catalytic amount of red mercuric oxide and trifluoroacetic acid. The vinyl ethers so produced are particularly useful as monomers which can be polymerized into energetic macromolecular binder materials with excellent mechanical, physical and energetic properties.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing energetic ethers, esters and acetals is disclosed that comprises reacting certain alcohols with certain alkenes or alkynes in the presence of mercuric or mercurous sulfate. The products obtained are particularly useful as plasticizers, monomers or prepolymers for propellant binder systems.