THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF 3,3'-BIS-AZIDOMETHYL-OXETANE

Measurements of gaseous species and temperature profiles were performe d to study the thermal decomposition of 3,3'-bis-azidomethyl-oxetane ( BAMO). Experiments were conducted at 1 atm of argon with heat fluxes o f 100 and 400 W/cm(2), delivered by a CO2 laser. Gaseous samples were extracted through the use of a quartz microprobe and analyzed by a tri ple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Temperature profiles were measured u sing the microthermocouple technique to investigate gas-phase reaction zones identified by the species measurements. Flame structure and sur face behavior were observed using a high-magnification video system. M ajor species evolved from the surface were identified as N-2, HCN, H2C O, H2O, NH3, CO, and CH4. Minor species include NO, H2CNH (m/z = 29), CH3CN(41), CH3CHNH(43), C2H3CHO(56), CO(CH)(2)NH(69), and C2H2. From t he species measurements, at both experimental conditions, BAMO was fou nd to undergo simultaneous decomposition of its backbone structure, in dicated by the release of high concentrations of H2CO, H2O, and CO, an d of side chains, by the large amounts of N-2, HCN, and some larger mo lecules. No gas-phase reaction was identified, because most of the maj or species measured exhibited relatively constant concentrations in th e gas-phase. The lack of a gas-phase reaction was also evident from th e gas-phase temperature profile that showed a constant value of approx imately 1050 K.