Abstract: A continuous process for producing nitratoalkyl-substituted cyclic ethers which consists of (a) cocurrently mixing a stream of N.sub.2 O.sub.5 and a stream of a hydroxyalkyl-substituted cyclic ether each dissolved in an inert organic solvent, followed by (b) rapidly separating the nitric acid and nitratoalkyl coproducts before they can react together to rupture the ether ring. Step (b) is conveniently performed by quenching the product stream within approximately 15 seconds of its formation, in a basic aqueous solution into which the nitric acid is transferred from the organic phase and is neutralized. Examples of products which may be prepared by this process are nitratoalkyl-substituted oxiranes and oxetanes.

Abstract: A method of preparing a nitrate ester of an epoxy alcohol, which consists of reacting an epoxy alcohol with N.sub.2 O.sub.5 in an inert solvent at a temperature of -10.degree. C. to -40.degree. C., followed by quenching the reaction mixture in aqueous solution. Quenching separates the nitric acid and nitrate ester coproducts into aqueous and organic phases respectively to prevent subsequent reaction between the two. Reaction between the nitric acid coproduct and epoxy alcohol reagent to produce acyclic contaminants is supressed by adding the epoxy alcohol to excess N.sub.2 O.sub.5, thereby rapidly converting available alcohol to nitrate ester.

Abstract: A process for the production of a high energy nitrate ester involves reacting, in an inert organic solvent, a heterocyclic compound, selected from oxiranes, oxetanes, N-substituted aziridines and N-substituted azetidines, with either N.sub.2 O.sub.4 or N.sub.2 O.sub.5, and when the compound is reacted with N.sub.2 O.sub.4, oxidizing the O- or N-nitrate substituents or substituent in the product to O- or N-nitrate substituent or substituents. The remaining ring carbon atoms on the heterocyclic compound may be substituted or unsubstituted. Preferred substituent groups for the C and/or N ring atoms on the compound include alkyl, cyanoalkyl, haloalkyl, nitroalkyl, and substituted aryl.Several novel nitrate ester are also provided, including nitrated derivatives of polybutadiene, in which between 1% and 25% of the carbon atoms in the polymer are substituted by vicinal nitrate ester (--ONO.sub.2) groups.

Abstract: A process for the production of a high energy material involves reacting, in an inert organic solvent, a heterocyclic compound selected from oxirane, aziridine, oxetane or azetidine with a nitrogen oxide selected from dinitrogen tetroxide (N.sub.2 O.sub.4) and dinitrogen pentoxide (N.sub.2 O.sub.5) and, when the nitrogen oxide is N.sub.2 O.sub.4, oxidizing the O- or N- nitroso substituent or substituents in the product obtained to O- or N- nitro substituent or substituents. The heterocyclic compounds may be substituents or unsubstituted. In the former case the preferred substituents groups are halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, nitro and epoxy (as in epoxidized polybutadiene). The solvent is preferably a chlorinated alkane.Novel nitrated derivatives of polybutadiene, in which between 1% and 25% of the carbon atoms in the polymer are substituted by nitrate (ONO.sub.2), are also provided. These novel materials are liquid rubbers when the polybutadiene starting material has a molecular weight between 2000 and 10000.

Abstract: Plasticized cellulose polymers comprise a base polymer having a chain of .beta.-anhydroglucose units joined by ether linkages and having ether substituents, with at least one of the units being additionally substituted, by esterification of at least one hydroxyl group, by at least one ester group, which contains at least two carbon atoms and is chemically unreactive.Preferably the ester group contains four or more, most preferably five, carbon atoms. The carbon chains of the ester groups may be straight or branched.These internally plasticized celluloses may be prepared by, for example, reacting the base polymer with a carboxylic acid in xylene or with an acid chloride or anhydride in pyridine. They are useful in particular as inhibitor coatings for rocket motor propellants and in general wherever cellulose polymers are employed.