- Process and intermediates for the production of BDNPA and BDNPF and other bis(dinitroalkyl)acetals and formals
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Bis(dinitroalkyl)acetals and formals having the formula (1) particularly bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal and bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal are produced by oxidative nitration of compounds having the formula (2): preferably via a sodium or other alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal, salt of compounds of Formula (2). Certain of the compounds of formula (1) are novel. All of the intermediates of formula (2) are novel and form another aspect of this invention, as does a process for their production by reacting an aldehyde with a nitroalkanol. The process can readily produce a mixture of the dinitro compounds known as BDNPA and BDNPF (also known as A/F) using the non-explosive intermediates, BNPA and BNPF, both of which are novel.
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Page/Page column 9
(2009/09/07)
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- Synthesis of bis(2,2-dinitropropyl) formal (BDNPF)
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A nonsolvent process of synthesizing bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal (BDNPF) is disclosed. In the process, 2,2-dinitropropanol (DNPOH) is reacted at low temperature with a formaldehyde source in the presence of a protic acid catalyst, such as H2 SO4, HCl, H3 PO4, or HBr. To inhibit byproduct formation, the reaction temperature is maintained from about -30° C. to 30° C. Upon completion of the reaction, the reaction solution is quenched with water and washed with an aqueous hydroxide ion solution. The hydroxide ion concentration should be sufficient to neutralize the protic acid catalyst during the quenching step and to solubilize unreacted 2,2-dinitropropanol as well as other aqueous soluble byproducts in the reaction solution. The BDNPF product is extracted with a low boiling temperature polar organic solvent, such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) or equivalent solvent. The organic solvent is evaporated to yield usable BDNPF product. The resulting yield is at least 60% based on the starting quantity of 2,2-dinitropropanol.
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