Thermal decomposition of 3,3′-bis-azidomethyl-oxetane

Measurements of gaseous species and temperature profiles were performed to study the thermal decomposition of 3,3′-bis-azidotnethyl-oxetane (BAMO). Experiments were conducted at 1 atm of argon with heat fluxes of 100 and 400 W/cm², delivered by a CO₂ laser. Gaseous samples were extracted through the use of a quartz microprobe and analyzed by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Temperature profiles were measured using the microthermocouple technique to investigate gas-phase reaction zones identified by the species measurements. Flame structure and surface behavior were observed using a high-magnification video system. Major species evolved from the surface were identified as N₂, HCN, H₂CO, H₂O, NH₃, CO, and CH₄. Minor species include NO, H₂CNH (m/z = 29), CH₃CN(41), CH₃CHNH(43), C₂H₃CHO(86), CO(CH)₂NH(69), and C₂H₂. From the species measurements, at both experimental conditions, BAMO was found to undergo simultaneous decomposition of its backbone structure, indicated by the release of high concentrations of H₂CO, H₂O, and CO, and of side chains, by the large amounts of N₂, HCN, and some larger molecules. No gas-phase reaction was identified, because most of the major species measured exhibited relatively constant concentrations in the gas-phase. The lack of a gas-phase reaction was also evident from the gas-phase temperature profile that showed a constant value of approximately 1050 K.