Synthesis and properties of binuclear ferrocene energetic compounds as combustion rate catalyst

Abstract

AbstractIn order to improve the catalytic performance, oxidation resistance and thermal stability of neutral alkyl ferrocene‐based combustion rate catalysts, mononuclear ferrocene energetic compounds were designed and prepared, but four binuclear ferrocene energetic compounds were unexpectedly discovered during the synthesis compounds. The new compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction,1H and13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The crystal structures of compoundsa,b,canddconfirmed that we have successfully prepared binuclear ferrocene nitrogen‐containing heterocyclic compounds. The thermogravimetric results revealed that most of the compounds exhibit high thermal stability. The electrochemical properties of the four compounds were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry; the CV experimental results indicated that these compounds showed good electrochemical performance, which contributed to their burning rate catalytic activity in composite solid propellants. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to study the catalytic performance of the binuclear ferrocene energetic compounds for ammonium perchlorate (AP). The results show that these compounds have a good combustion catalytic effect on AP due to the increase in the number of ferrocene groups.