Phosgene-free synthesis of N-methyl-N',N'-diphenylurea

Akardite II (AK-II, N-methyl-N′,N′-diphenylurea) is a well-known stabilizer for nitrocellulose (NC) propellants as it scavenges NOx. Currently, AK-II is produced using phosgene, a highly toxic gas. An alternative, two-step synthesis route is presented here that does not rely on phosgene. First, symmetrical organic carbonates (R2CO3, with R ​= ...

Small scale continuous processing of critical components – A viable alternative to avoid the obsolescence of chemicals needed for independent access to space

To ensure that so-called critical compounds, which are substances that are produced by only one or in the worst case no Western supplier, are available for the European space sector, the transition of batch-wise to continuous processing can guarantee independent access to space. Already widely accepted in the pharmaceutical industry, it is still...

Chemical attribution of the home-made explosive ETN – Part I: Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of partially nitrated erythritol impurities

Erythritol tetranitrate (ETN) was prepared independently by two research groups from the USA and the Netherlands. The partially nitrated impurities present in ETN were studied using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to address the ultimate challenge in forensic explosives investigations, i.e., providing chemical and tactical information on...

Synthesis of carbamate or urea compounds

The invention pertains to the synthesis of carbamate and urea compounds. In particular the invention is directed to the synthesis of carbamate and urea compounds which may be used in the production of compounds that are used to stabilize nitrocellulose. The method of the invention comprises preparing a carbamate or urea derivative comprising...

Chemical attribution of the home-made explosive ETN – Part II: Isotope ratio mass spectrometry analysis of ETN and its precursors

In this follow-up study the collaboration between two research groups from the USA and the Netherlands was continued to expand the framework of chemical attribution for the homemade explosive erythritol tetranitrate (ETN). Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) analysis was performed to predict possible links between ETN samples and its...

Burn rate modifiers for 'green' pyrotechnics

Accelerated aging of porous pyrotechnic compositions based on nitrocellulose

Accelerated aging studies were performed with novel nitrocellulose based porous pyrotechnic compositions comprising carbonate salts with stabilizing properties. The goal of these studies was to predict whether the compositions would meet specific safe shelf life requirements. In this prediction the Arrhenius equation of STANAG 4582 for safe...

Energetic materials research using scanning electron microscopy

A key-technique for the research of energetic materials is scanning electron microscopy. In this paper several examples are given of characterization studies on energetic materials, including a solid composite propellant formulation. Results of the characterization of energetic materials using scanning electron microscopy comprise the...