Abstract: Energetic polymers and methods for their synthesis are provided. The polymers are preferably produced from cyclic ether monomers having 4 or 5 member rings. The cyclic ether monomers preferably include energetic functional groups such that a polymer formed from the monomer is itself energetic. Polymerization is catalyzed by a combination of alkylating salt and alcohol. The preferred salts are triethoxonium salts with anions such as hexafluorophosphate, hexachloroantimonate, and tetrafluoroborate. It is found that by employing the combination of selected triethoxonium salts and selected alcohols that it is possible to produce an energetic polymer with predetermined functionality and molecular weight. The salt is found to scavenge water in the reaction mixture, thus increasing control over the functionality of the final product. The salt-alcohol combination also rapidly initiates polymerization and allows higher molecular weights to be achieved.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenolysis of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexabenzyl-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo?5.5.0.0.sup.5,9.0 .sup.3,11 !dodecane ("HBIW") is disclosed. In the process, a quantity of HBIW, a cosolvent, and a bromine source are placed into a reaction vessel. Acetic anhydride and a palladium hydrogenolysis catalyst are rapidly added to the reaction vessel. The hydrogenolysis catalyst should be substantially free of water. The reaction vessel is purged of an atmosphere capable of reacting with hydrogen, and hydrogen is quickly introduced into the reaction vessel to convert the HBIW to tetraacetyldibenzylhexaazaisowurtzitane ("TADB"). The acetic anhydride is added immediately prior to hydrogen introduction so that the acetic anhydride does not have time to react with the HBIW to form an acetylated derivative prior to commencement of the desired hydrogenation reaction. The process requires very little palladium catalyst, preferably less than 10% wt/wt based on the HBIW substrate.

Abstract: A method of preparing a thermoplastic elastomer having A blocks and at least one B block, wherein said A blocks are crystalline at temperatures below about 60.degree. C. and said B block is amorphous at temperatures above about -20.degree. C., said A blocks each being polyethers derived from monomers of oxetane and its derivatives and/or tetrahydrofuran and its derivatives, the method comprising:providing monofunctional hydroxyl terminated A blocks which are crystalline at temperatures below about 60.degree. C. and separately providing di-, tri- or tetrafunctional hydroxyl terminated B blocks which are amorphous at temperatures above about -20.degree. C.

Abstract: 4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diazatetracyclo[5.5.0.0.sup.5,9 0.sup.3,11 ]dodecane is synthesized by reacting a diacyl-2,3,5,6-tetraoxypiperazine or tetraoxadiazaisowurtzitane derivative, a strong acid, and a nitrate source, such that an exothermic reaction occurs which proceeds at a temperature above ambient temperature. The reaction product is precipitated by cooling. It may be purified by washing with methanol and/or sodium bicarbonate and by simmering in nitric acid.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions or propellants are provided which comprise a non-azide fuel which is a transition metal complex of an aminoarazole. Preferred transition metal complexes are zinc and copper complexes of 5-aminotetrazole and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, with the zinc complexes most preferred. The propellant compositions also include a conventional oxidizer, such as potassium nitrate or strontium nitrate. These compositions are useful for generating a nitrogen-containing gas for a variety of applications, especially for inflating air bags in automotive restraint systems, as well as other inflatable devices.

Abstract: Automotive airbag gas generant formulation providing alternative to commercially used formulations containing sodium azide. The composition comprises from about 25% to about 75% by weight of a heterocyclic compound having the following structure: ##STR1## wherein R is selected from hydrogen,--CO.sub.2 X, and--OXand X is a cation providing an anhydrous salt. The other principal ingredient of the composition is from about 25% to 75% by weight of an anhydrous oxidizing salt having a cation selected from metals of Group I-A of the Periodic Table (except sodium), calcium, strontium, or barium, and an anion which is essentially free of carbon, hydrogen, or halogens. From about 0% to 2% of a binder can be added, if necessary. An automotive airbag inflator containing the composition and a method for generating gas comprising the step of igniting the composition stated above are also disclosed.