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 BF, 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-NMR, "C-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, of 237 "C for polyBAMO and 241°C for BAMO-THF copolymer with activation energy of 39 kcallmol and 40 kcallmol, respectively. Explosive properties like impact and friction sensitivity of BAMO and the other polymers were also determined.