Dinuclear (Ferrocenylmethyl)imidazolium Ionic Compounds with Polycyano Anions. Characterization, Migration, and Effects during Combustion

Alkyl‐substituted ferrocene‐based burning rate catalysts exhibit high migration and volatility during curing process and prolonged storage of the composite solid propellants. To deal with the drawbacks twenty‐one dinuclear (ferrocenylmethyl)imidazolium compounds paired with polycyano anions, were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, UV/Vis, elementary analysis, and both 2 and 11 were further characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The migration test revealed that the compounds have excellent anti‐migration ability. The cyclic‐voltammetry results suggested that they are quasi‐reversible or irreversible redox systems. The TG/DSC analyses showed that the compounds are highly thermal stable. Their effects on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) and 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane (RDX) were additionally examined. The results showed that the new compounds have strong effects on the thermal decomposition of both AP and RDX during combustion. Both 13 and 21 are more excellent than catocene for increasing the released heats of AP and can be used as alternatives of catocene in the composite solid propellants.