Abstract: Gas-generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas-generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a metal cation template, a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts, nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite amine, metal nitrate amine, and metal perchlorate amine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. A binder and co-oxidizer can be combined with the metal complexes to improve crush strength of the gas-generating compositions and to permit efficient combustion of the binder. Such gas-generating compositions are adaptable for use in gas-generating devices, such as automobile air bags.

Abstract: Gas-generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas-generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a metal cation template, a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts, nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite amine, metal nitrate amine, and metal perchlorate amine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. A binder and co-oxidizer can be combined with the metal complexes to improve crush strength of the gas-generating compositions and to permit efficient combustion of the binder. Such gas-generating compositions are adaptable for use in gas-generating devices, such as automobile air bags.

Abstract: Hexabenzylhexaazaisowurtzitane is converted to tetracetyl, dibenzyl azaisowurtzitane. The benzyl groups are removed by catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis leaving a pair of available nitrogens. The available nitrogens are acetylated, and the resulting intermediate is converted to CL-20 with a strong nitrating agent.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas-generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a metal cation template, a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts, nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite ammine, metal nitrate ammine, and metal perchlorate ammine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. A binder and co-oxidizer can be combined with the metal complexes to improve crush strength of the gas-generating compositions and to permit efficient combustion of the binder. Such gas-generating compositions are adaptable for use in gas-generating devices, such as automobile air bags.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a metal cation template, a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts, nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite ammine, metal nitrate ammine, and metal perchlorate ammine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. A binder and co-oxidizer can be combined with the metal complexes to improve crush strength of the gas generating compositions and to permit efficient combustion of the binder. Such gas generating compositions are adaptable for use in gas generating devices such as automobile air bags.

Abstract: A thermoplastic, elastomeric block copolymer comprises at least one poly(butadiene) and at least one pair of poly(lactone) blocks flanking the poly(butadiene) block. Each poly(lactone) block is derived from a lactone having between 8 and 18 carbon atoms in the lactone ring, such as &lgr;-laurolactone and 10-hydroxyl decanoic acid lactone. Alternative methods of making these block polymers are also disclosed. In the first procedure diethyl zinc reacts with the hydroxyl end group of a butadiene polymer to form an intermediate zinc alkoxide-tipped polybutadiene which functions as the active initiating species. The laurolactone polymer then grows off the hydroxyl end groups of the butadiene to form the desired ABA block copolymer. In another related procedure for making ABA block polymers, previously prepared difunctional hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene blocks are linked with monofunctional poly(&lgr;-laurolactone) blocks using a diisocyanate and a catalyst.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a metal cation template, a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and at least one cool burning organic nitrogen-containing compound. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts, nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite ammine, metal nitrate ammine, and metal perchlorate ammine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. A binder and co-oxidizer can be combined with the metal complexes to improve crush strength of the gas generating compositions and to permit efficient combustion of the binder. Such gas generating compositions are adaptable for use in gas generating devices such as automobile air bags.

Abstract: Hexabenzylhexaazaisowurtzitane is converted to tetracetyl, dibenzyl azaisowurtzitane. The benzyl groups are removed by catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis leaving a pair of available nitrogens. The available nitrogens are acetylated, and the resulting intermediate is converted to CL-20 with a strong nitrating agent.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing 4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diazatetracyclo-[5.5.0.0.sup.5,9 0.sup.3,11 ]-dodecane ("TEX") involves combining at least one hexa-substituted piperazine derivative with a medium containing at least one nitronium anion source and at least one acid sufficiently strong to generate nitronium anions from the nitronium anion source. According to this invention, TEX yield is significantly improved by pre-heating the medium to 55.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C. and maintaining the medium from 55.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C. to permit the hexa-substituted piperazine derivative and nitronium anions to react and form the TEX. At least one NO.sub.x scavenger is added to the medium, preferably before the addition of the hexa-substituted piperazine derivative, to increase TEX yield.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a metal cation template, a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and at least one cool burning organic nitrogen-containing compound. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts, nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite ammine, metal nitrate ammine, and metal perchlorate ammine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. A binder and co-oxidizer can be combined with the metal complexes to improve crush strength of the gas generating compositions and to permit efficient combustion of the binder. Such gas generating compositions are adaptable for use in gas generating devices such as automobile air bags.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a metal cation template, a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts, nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite ammine, metal nitrate ammine, and metal perchlorate ammine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. A binder and co-oxidizer can be combined with the metal complexes to improve crush strength of the gas generating compositions and to permit efficient combustion of the binder. Such gas generating compositions are adaptable for use in gas generating devices such as automobile air bags.

Abstract: Difunctional, hydroxyl-terminated polymers in which the terminal hydroxyl group is non-primary or hindered are end-capped to provide unhindered, primary, terminal hydroxyl groups which promote an improved cure and improved mechanical properties of the cured elastomer. End-capping chemicals have an hydroxyl-reactive group at one end and a group at the other end which is removable to provide a primary, unhindered hydroxyl group. Short-chain, hydroxyl-terminated polymers are chain-extended with a diisocyanate.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a metal cation template, a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts, nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite ammine, metal nitrate ammine, and metal perchlorate ammine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. A binder and co-oxidizer can be combined with the metal complexes to improve crush strength of the gas generating compositions and to permit efficient combustion of the binder. Such gas generating compositions are adaptable for use in gas generating devices such as automobile air bags.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a metal cation template, a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts, nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite ammine, metal nitrate ammine, and metal perchlorate ammine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. A binder and co-oxidizer can be combined with the metal complexes to improve crush strength of the gas generating compositions and to permit efficient combustion of the binder. Such gas generating compositions are adaptable for use in gas generating devices such as automobile air bags.

Abstract: Complex generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a cationic metal template, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen. Hyradzine complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite ammine, metal nitrate ammine, and metal perchlorate ammine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. Such complexes are adaptable for use in gas generating devices such as automobile air bags.

Abstract: Gas generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a cationic metal template, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite ammine, metal nitrate ammine, and metal perchlorate ammine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. Such complexes are adaptable for use in gas generating devices such as automobile air bags.

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: A composition is provided which has at least one salt of 5-nitraminotetrazole and an at least one oxidizer selected from among inorganic nitrates, inorganic nitrites, metal oxides, metal peroxides, organic peroxides, inorganic perchlorates, inorganic chlorates, metal hydroxides, and mixtures thereof. The compositions are useful in the gas generant field.

Abstract: A sodium-azide-free gas-generating composition includes an oxidizable inorganic fuel, such as a metal, and an oxidizing agent containing oxygen and a metal. The fuel and the oxidizing agent are selected such that water vapor is produced upon reaction between the inorganic fuel and the oxidizing agent. Although a number of inorganic fuels can be employed, a suitable fuel can be a transition metal, another element such as silicon, boron, aluminum, magnesium, an intermetallic compound, hydrides of these metals and mixtures thereof. The oxidizing agent comprises a metal hydroxide, a metal hydrous oxide, a metal oxide hydrate, a metal oxide hydroxide, or mixtures thereof. The fuel and oxidizing agent are selected such that essentially no gases other than water vapor are produced.

Abstract: A sodium-azide-free gas-generating composition includes an oxidizable inorganic fuel, such as a metal, and an oxidizing agent containing oxygen and a metal. The fuel and the oxidizing agent are selected such that water vapor is produced upon reaction between the inorganic fuel and the oxidizing agent. Although a number of inorganic fuels can be employed, a suitable fuel can be a transition metal, another element such as silicon, boron, aluminum, magnesium, an intermetallic compound, hydrides of these metals and mixtures thereof. Suitable oxidizing agents are selected from basic metal carbonates and basic metal nitrates. The fuel and oxidizing agent are selected such that substantially nontoxic gases are produced such as mixtures of water vapor and either carbon dioxide or nitrogen.