High energy-density N.sub.2 O.sub.2 compound

• US 5,171,385 A
• Filed: 03/21/1989
• Issued: 12/15/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Hinchen, John J., Michels, H. Harvey
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Edward A.
• Application Number:
  US07/326,591
• Time in Patent Office: 1,365 Days
• Field of Search: 149/1, 149/191, 149/74, 423/400, 423/405, 204/157.41, 204/157.44, 204/157.5
• US Class Current: 149/19.1
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 21/20 Nitrogen oxides; Oxyacids of nitrogen; Salts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 43/00 Compositions characterised by explosive or thermic constituents not provided for in groups C06B25/00 - C06B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 45/10 the organic component containing a resin
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 47/04 a component containing a nitrogen oxide or acid thereof

Abstract

An energetic compound having the structural formula

O--O--N--N

is disclosed. Routes for synthesizing the compound involving the reaction of oxygen atoms in the [¹ D] electronic state with N₂ O are also disclosed. The energetic compound is particularly useful as an oxidant in chemical propulsion systems.

Claims

1. A compound having the structural formula:

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">O--O--N--N.

2. A process for making an energetic compound, comprising:

generating oxygen atoms in the [¹ D] electronic state, and

reacting the oxygen atoms with N₂ O to form an energetic compound having the structural formula;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">O--O--N--N.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the energetic compound is condensed to a storable form.

4. The process of claim 3, wherein the energetic compound is condensed at cryogenic temperatures.

5. The process of claim 2, wherein the oxygen atoms are reacted with N₂ O in the presence of a nonreactive species.

6. The process of claim 2 wherein the oxygen atoms are generated by the photolysis of N₂ O.

7. The process of claim 2 wherein the oxygen atoms are generated by the photolysis of O₃.

8. The process of claim 2, wherein the oxygen atoms are generated and reacted with N₂ O in the solid phase.

9. A process for making an energetic compound, comprising:

reacting N₂ O with a reactive species in which a [¹ D] oxygen is chemically bound to form an energetic compound having the structural formula;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">O--O--N--N.

10. The process of claim 9 wherein the reactive species is HClO, HFO, ONF, ONCl, MgO, CaO, SnO or BaO.

11. The process of claim 9 wherein the energetic compound is condensed to a storable form.

14. The propellant composition of claim 10, further comprising from about 5 weight percent to about 65 weight percent of a second oxidant, provided that the combined amount of first oxidant and second oxidant does not exceed 70 weight percent.

12. A method for releasing energy, comprising:

reacting H₂ with an oxidant having the structural formula;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">O--O--N--N.

13. A propellant composition, comprising:

from about 5 weight percent to about 40 weight percent of a metal fuel, from about 5 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of a first oxidant having the structural formula;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">O--O--N--N,

and from about 5 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of a binder material.