Abstract: A novel family of cycloalkanes compounds having one or more allylidene functionalities which can be used to create cross-linked thermosets and thermoplastics having thermal stability. An example heptacyclo [6.6.0.02,6.03,13.04,11.05,9.010,14] tetradecane (HCTD) complex with terminal allylidene groups at the 7- and 12-positions (HCTD-7,12-diallylidene) was generated from norbornadiene via an efficient six-step synthesis. Thermal polymerization at temperatures ranging from 160 to 240° C. yielded a robust cross-linked material with thermal stability up to 485° C. in air, a glass transition temperature of 377° C., and a char yield (600° C.) of 56% in air. Applications include heat resistant composites utilized in the aerospace, electronic, automotive and textile industries.

Abstract: The invention relates to cyanate ester resin blends containing resveratrol-based cyanate esters. At room temperature, the cyanate ester resin blend offers improved processability by remaining a liquid or forming a solid that melts at less than 70° C. The cyanate ester resin blend includes a resveratrol-based cyanate ester and a flexible cyanate ester having a configuration different than that of the resveratrol-based cyanate ester, where the resveratrol-based cyanate ester is no more than 80% of the total mass of the cyanate esters in the cyanate ester resin blend. A composite product can include the cyanate ester resin blend and a support material. When making the composite product, the support material is combined with the cyanate resin blend and cured at temperatures ranging from about 100° C. to about 300° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to an efficient, high-throughput method of converting monoterpenes to high performance aviation fuel blendstocks. The method is a one pot, two-step process that includes a dehydration step followed by a hydrogenation step. Both steps can proceed without the use of solvents. Use of biosynthetically generated monoterpenes by this method produces sustainable aviation fuel blendstocks having applications that include use as a full-performance or an ultra-performance jet fuel blendstock.

Abstract: This invention describes resins with phosphate cores and a simple, three-step process for their synthesis. Preferred resins are cyanate ester resins with bridging phosphate groups. These resins can be cured to produce thermoset polymers having Tgs of between 131 and >360° C. depending on the number of cyanate ester groups per phosphate and the substitution pattern of the aromatic rings. The high char yields of these resins, up to about 67%, coupled with the phosphate core means that these materials will have applications as fire-resistant polymers. Additionally, these materials can potentially be blended with conventional cyanate esters or other compatible thermosetting resins to improve the fire resistance of composite materials. Other applications may include use in fire-resistant circuit boards, or as surface coatings to reduce flammability of conventional composite materials or thermoplastics.

Abstract: A method for making thermosetting polyimides from resveratrol including converting resveratrol to trisaniline, reacting trisaniline with one or more dianhydride and thermosetting endcap to form amic acid, thermally imidizing amic acid to form polyimide oligomer, and cross-linking polyimide oligomer with heat and pressure to generate polyimide thermoset.

Abstract: A method for making crown ether functionalized substrates, which includes modifying crown ether-based molecules by reacting with carboxylic acid functionalize chains. The crown ether-based molecules are then attached to substrates, thereby forming crown ether functionalized substrates.

Abstract: A biodiesel fuel consisting of a dioxolane with one to three alkyl groups, a (CH2)nCH3 alkyl group where n ranges from 6 to 14, and the dioxolane has a total number of carbons that is equal to or less than 24 carbons.

Abstract: A diamondoid fuel comprising a cage structure including 10, 14, 18, or 22 carbons. The diamondoid fuel also includes one of one to four cyclopropyl groups bonded to the cage structure or two to four functional groups bonded to the cage structure where the functional groups are an alkyl group, an allyl group, a cyclopropyl group, or combinations thereof. Additionally, at least one functional group is an allyl group and at least one functional group is a cyclopropyl group.

Abstract: A method for making thermosetting polyimides from resveratrol including converting resveratrol to trisaniline, reacting trisaniline with one or more dianhydride and thermosetting endcap to form amic acid, thermally imidizing amic acid to form polyimide oligomer, and cross-linking polyimide oligomer with heat and pressure to generate polyimide thermoset.

Abstract: A diamondoid fuel comprising a cage structure including 10, 14, 18, or 22 carbons. The diamondoid fuel also includes one of one to four cyclopropyl groups bonded to the cage structure or two to four functional groups bonded to the cage structure where the functional groups are an alkyl group, an allyl group, a cyclopropyl group, or combinations thereof. Additionally, at least one functional group is an allyl group and at least one functional group is a cyclopropyl group.

Abstract: In the present method a reaction mixture is comprised of a source of adamantane, mixed with an alkane or cycloalkane. A Lewis acid catalyst is added to the reaction mixture which is heated and then purified. The resulting alkyl diamondoid mixtures have significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature.

Abstract: A method for making cyclopentadiene fuels comprising producing cyclopent-2-en-1-one or a mixture of cyclopent-2-en-1-one from a bio-based source. The cyclopent-2-en-1-one or the mixture of cyclopent-2-en-1-one is hydrogenated, thereby forming cyclopent-2-en-1-ol or a mixture of cyclopent-2-en-1-ol. The cyclopent-2-en-1-ol or the mixture of cyclopent-2-en-1-ol is dehydrated with a dehydrating agent, thereby forming cyclopentadiene or a mixture of cyclopentadiene. The cyclopentadiene or mixture of cyclopentadiene is converted to dicyclopentadiene or dihydrodicyclopentadiene. The dicyclopentadiene or dihydrodicyclopentadiene is hydrogenated, thereby forming tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene. The tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene is isomerized, thereby forming exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene.

Abstract: A method for making crown ether functionalized substrates, which includes modifying crown ether-based molecules by reacting with carboxylic acid functionalize chains. The crown ether-based molecules are then attached to substrates, thereby forming crown ether functionalized substrates.

Abstract: A method for making a fuel includes reacting a conjugated diene or a mixture of conjugated dienes with a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a low valent iron catalyst stabilized with a pyridineimine ligand, an iron precatalyst coordinated to the pyridineimine ligand that is activated with a reducing agent, a low oxidation state Fe complex stabilized with a pyridineimine ligand and a coordinating ligand, and combinations thereof, thereby forming a substituted cyclooctadiene. The substituted cyclooctadiene is then hydrogenated, thereby forming cyclooctane fuel.

Abstract: This invention describes resins with phosphate cores and a simple, three-step process for their synthesis. Preferred resins are cyanate ester resins with bridging phosphate groups. These resins can be cured to produce thermoset polymers having Tgs of between 131 and >360° C. depending on the number of cyanate ester groups per phosphate and the substitution pattern of the aromatic rings. The high char yields of these resins, up to about 67%, coupled with the phosphate core means that these materials will have applications as fire-resistant polymers. Additionally, these materials can potentially be blended with conventional cyanate esters or other compatible thermosetting resins to improve the fire resistance of composite materials. Other applications may include use in fire-resistant circuit boards, or as surface coatings to reduce flammability of conventional composite materials or thermoplastics.

Abstract: A method to generate dioxolanes from renewable feedstocks, and more specifically, these oxygenated hydrocarbons can be used as gasoline-range fuels and diesel additives.

Abstract: A diamondoid fuel comprising a cage structure including 10, 14, 18, or 22 carbons. The diamondoid fuel also includes one of one to four cyclopropyl groups bonded to the cage structure or two to four functional groups bonded to the cage structure where the functional groups are an alkyl group, an allyl group, a cyclopropyl group, or combinations thereof. Additionally, at least one functional group is an allyl group and at least one functional group is a cyclopropyl group.

Abstract: A method for preparing fire resistant polymeric materials including, providing at least one first polyphenol having three or more phenolic groups, reacting at least one first polyphenol having three or more phenolic groups with at least one halophosphate and at least one first base to produce at least one second phenol having at least one phosphate group, and converting at least one second phenol having at least one phosphate group to a thermoplastic or thermosetting fire resistant polymeric material.

Abstract: A method for making an alkyl cyclobutane fuel, which includes obtaining a solution of at least one alpha olefin. A catalyst is added to the solution, thereby generating a mixture of dimers. The mixture is hydrogenated, thereby converting the dimers to hydrogenated dimers. The mixture is purified to produce an alkyl cyclobutane fuel.

Abstract: A process for making high density fuels having the potential to increase the range and/or loiter time of Navy platforms. Derivation of these fuels from a sustainable source will decrease the carbon footprint of the Department of Defense (DoD) and reduce reliance on nonsustainable petroleum sources. Fuels based on ziza-anes have volumetric net heats of combustion up to ca. 18% higher than conventional Navy jet fuel (JP-5). Moreover, ziza-anes can be generated from sustainable biomass sugars via fermentation.