Synthesis and characterisation of bis-azido methyl oxetane and its polymer and copolymer with tetrahydrofuran

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, H-1-NMR, C-13-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 degreesC for polyBAMO and 241degreesC 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.