Abstract: The endo-endo olefinic hexacyclic dimer of 2,5-norbornadiene is isomerized using an acidic alumina catalyst. The isomerization temperatures ranges from between about an ambient temperature to about 300.degree. C. The isomerized product, after hydrogenation, can be used as a high density missile fuel.

Abstract: Binor-S is prepared by the catalytic dimerization of norbornadiene (bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene) using a homogeneous catalyst system of cobaltic acetylacetonate and diethylaluminum chloride and triphenyl phosphine. Ethylaluminum dichloride or aluminum ethylsesquichloride can be used in lieu of the diethylaluminum chloride. The reaction rate is rapid at an ambient temperature. Binor-S can be used as a precursor for hydrocarbons having utility as a high energy fuel.

Abstract: Norbornadiene [bicyclo(2.2.1)heptadiene-2,5] is dimerized to the exo-exo stereoisomer of the hexacyclic dimer of norbornadiene at both an excellent selectivity and conversion using an effective amount of a three component catalytic system of diethylaluminum chloride, ferric or ferrous or cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate and bis(1,2-diphenylphosphino)ethane. The reaction rate is rapid. After hydrogenation the exo-exo hexacyclic dimer can be used as a component of high energy fuel for either jet or rocket propulsion.

Abstract: Novel codimer (I) of norbornadiene and 1,3-cyclohexadiene and its hydrogenated derivative (II), having the following structures: ##STR1## and processes for preparing both are disclosed. Product (II) can be used as a high energy fuel. Process for codimer I involves use of three component homogeneous catalytic system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and one of three alkyl aluminum chlorides.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and 1,3-pentadiene are catalytically codimerized to an olefinic codimer using a three-component homogeneous catalytic system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, triphenylphosphine and an alkyl aluminum chloride. The codimer, after hydrogenation, has utility as a high energy missile fuel or a diluent for a higher viscous missile fuel.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and nobornene are catalytically codimerized to the saturated exo-exo hexacyclic dimer of norbornadiene. Used is a three-component homogeneous catalytic system consisting of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride. Resulting dimer can be used as a component of high energy fuel.

Abstract: Catalytic codimerization of norbornadiene and 1,3-pentadiene yields an olefinic codimer which, after hydrogenation, has utility as a high energy missile fuel or a diluent for a higher viscous missile fuel. Used is a three-component homogeneous catalytic system, consisting of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphina ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride.

Abstract: Novel codimers (I) of norbornadiene and phenylacetylenes and their hydrogenated derivatives (II), having the following structures ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen, a phenyl, or a phenyl having alkyl substitutents and R.sub.1 is a phenyl or a phenyl having alkyl substituents and processes for preparing both are disclosed. Codimer (II) can be used as a high energy fuel or a diluent for such a fuel. Process for making codimer (I) involves reacting norbornadiene and phenylacetylene or diphenylacetylene with a catalyst system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and an alkyne are catalytically codimerized in the presence of a homogeneous catalytic system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl alluminum chloride. Also, novel codimers of norbornadiene and an alkyne containing at least three carbons are disclosed. After hydrogenation, resulting codimers can be used as high energy fuels or diluents for such fuels.

Abstract: Catalytic codimerization of norbornadiene and 1,3-butadiene, using a three-component homogeneous catalytic system consisting of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride, yields a codimer having the following structure: ##STR1## Upon hydrogenation, codimer I forms tetramethylene nortricyclane having utility as a high energy fuel.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and an acrylic acid ester, e.g., methyl acrylate, are catalytically codimerized in the presence of a two-component homogeneous catalytic system consisting of nickel acetylacetonate and an alkyl aluminum chloride. The resulting codimer can be used as a precursor for a missile fuel. The ester portion of the acrylic acid ester is the radical RCH.sub.2 O-- wherein the R is an H or an alkyl containing up to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and an acrylic acid ester, e.g. methyl acrylate, are catalytically codimerized in the presence of a three-component homogeneous catalytic system consisting of nickel acetylacetonate, an alkyl aluminum chloride and triphenylphosphine. The resulting codimer can be used as a precursor for missile fuel. The ester portion of the acrylic acid ester is the radical RCH.sub.2 O- wherein the R is an H or an alkyl containing up to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and an acrylic acid ester, e.g. methyl acrylate, are catalytically codimerized in the presence of a three-component homogeneous catalytic system consisting of nickel acetylacetonate, an alkyl aluminum chloride and 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane. The resulting codimer can be used as a precursor for missile fuel. The ester portion of the acrylic acid ester is the radical RCH.sub.2 O-- wherein the R is an H or an alkyl containing up to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Novel codimers (I) of norbornadiene and phenylacetylenes and their hydrogenated derivatives (II), having the following structures ##STR1## wherein R is a hydrogen, a phenyl, or a phenyl having alkyl substituents and R.sub.1 is a phenyl or a phenyl having alkyl substituents and processes for preparing both are disclosed. Codimer (II) can be used as a high energy fuel or a diluent for such a fuel. Process for making codimer (I) involves reacting norbornadiene and phenylacetylene or diphenylacetylene with a catalyst system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and an alkyne are catalytically codimerized in the presence of a homogeneous catalytic system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride. Also, novel codimers of norbornadiene and an alkyne containing at least three carbons are disclosed. After hydrogenation, resulting codimers can be used as high energy fuels or diluents for such fuels.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and acrylonitrile are catalytically codimerized in the presence of a three-component homogeneous catalytic system consisting of nickel acetylacetonate, triphenylphosphine and an alkyl aluminum chloride. The codimer can be used as a precursor for missile fuel.

Abstract: Norbornadiene is catalytically polymerized to a solid white polymer in the presence of a catalytic system of nickel acetylacetonate or a nickel-phosphine complex and an alkyl aluminum chloride. The polymer can be used as a solid high energy fuel.

Abstract: Norbornadiene and isoprene are catalytically codimerized to an olefinic codimer. Used is a three-component homogeneous catalytic system consisting of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride. The codimer upon hydrogenation forms .beta.-methyltetramethylene nortricyclane having utility as a diluent for a high energy hydrocarbon missile fuel.

Abstract: Processes for preparing vinyl nortricyclane (I) and its hydrogenated derivative, ethyl nortricyclane (II) are disclosed. The nortricyclane (II) can be used as a high energy fuel or a fuel diluent. Process involves codimerization of norbornadiene and ethylene in the presence of a homogeneous catalytic system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and an alkyl aluminum chloride to yield the vinyl nortricyclane (I). The latter can be hydrogenated to ethylnortricyclane.

Abstract: Binor-S is prepared by the dimerization of norbornadiene (bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene) at an excellent conversion and an excellent selectivity using an effective amount of a two component catalytic system of tris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium chloride and diethylaluminum chloride or ethylaluminum dichloride or aluminum ethylsesquichloride. The range of mole ratio of norbornadiene to tris(triphenylphosphine)rhodium chloride is between from about 100 to about 1000 and the range of mole ratio of one of the aluminum chlorides to the rhodium chloride is between from about 0.5 to about 100. The reaction rate is rapid. Binor-S can be used as precursor for hydrocarbons having utility for either jet or rocket propulsion.