Synthesis and Characterisation of Bis-azido Methyl Oxetane and its Polymer and Copolymer with Tetrahydrofuran

Abstract

Bis-azido methyl oxetane (BAMO) was synthesised from pentaerythritol in two steps. Pentaerythritol was chlorinated to yield a mixture of mono, di, tri and tetra chloro compounds. The trichloro compound on ring closure gives bis-chloro methyl oxetane (BCMO). It was reacted with sodium azide in aqueous medium to obtain BAMO. The latter was polymerised using BF3 etherate catalyst and 1,4-butanediol initiator. Similarly, the BAMO- THF copolymer was also synthesised. All the monomers and polymers were characterised by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and refractive index. The polymers were also characterised for molecular weight, hydroxyl value, etc. Thermal analysis showed that both polymers degrade exothermically with T max of 237 °C for poly BAMO and 241°C for BAMO- THF copolymer with activation energy of 39 kcal/mol and 40 kcal/mol, respectively. Explosive properties like impact and friction sensitivity of BAMO and the other polymers were also determined.