Prepolymer containing terminal carboxyl groups

A hydrocarbon prepolymer containing terminal carboxyl groups (28) is available to the propellant chemist. These polymers were synthesized to eliminate some of the variables found in the copolymers. The carboxyl groups can be made of the same types with like reactivity. These linear non-branched polymers impart greater extensibility to elastomeric formulations. The chemistry in propellants is similar to the random functionality polymer. As 20 years of the chemistry of crosslinked propellant binders is reviewed, one familiar with the art cannot fail to predict solid propellant formulations using these polymers tailored to the specific requirements of the solid rocket design with the confidence that any discipline of science can be practiced. 

A tertiary amine such as triethylamine is then added to the isocyanate-terminated prepolymer (containing carboxylic acid groups). The tertiary amine reacts with the pendant carboxylic acid groups, forming a carboxylic acid salt. The presence of this salt, together with adequate stirring, allows the dispersion of the prepolymer in water by the so-called melt dispersion process [57]. 

Furthermore, photochemically induced homolytical bond cleavage can also be applied when the prepolymer itself does not contain suitable chromophoric groups [113-115]. Upon thermolysis of ACPA in the presence of styrene, a carboxyl-terminated polystyrene is formed. This styrene-based prepolymer was reacted with lead tetraacetate and irradiated with UV light yielding free radicals capable of initiating the polymerization of a second monomer (Scheme 33) [113]. 

In the first step of the synthesis, a conventional polyether- or polyester-based isocyanate-terminated prepolymer is obtained by condensation polymerization of a diol and a diol containing a carboxyl function, preferably reacting the hydroxyl groups of dimethylol propionic acid with isocyanate groups. In the next step, the carboxyl groups are neutralized with an amine which is subsequently dispersed in water and... 

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