Isotactic poly(glycidyl nitrate) and synthesis thereof

Isotactic poly(glycidyl nitrate) useful in solid propellants is produced by polymerizing chiral (R) glycidyl nitrate or its enantiomer, (S) glycidyl nitrate. Chiral (R) glycidyl nitrate or its enantiomer is prepared by sequential treatment of chiral (S) glycidyl tosylate or its enantiomer with nitric acid and sodium hydroxide. Chiral (S) glycidyl tosylate or its enantiomer, (R) glycidyl tosylate, can be produced by Sharpless epoxidation of allyl alcohol or by direct tosylation or commercially available chiral glycidol. Likewise, chiral (R) glycidyl nitrate or its enantiomer, (S) glycidyl nitrate, can be prepared directly via nitration of (S) or (R) glycidol, respectively.