1,3-Bishomocubane: a kinetic rock, a thermodynamic powerhouse and a compelling chiral synthetic scaffold.

Over the last several decades, saturated polycyclic cage compounds have remained a point of interest for organic chemists because of their unique characteristics and reactivity. For the first time, a detailed analysis of the synthesis, properties and transformations of 1,3-bishomocubanes, which fall under the rare category of chiral cage compounds, is provided in this article. This review which also includes the authors' work in this area over the last decade is expected to serve as a valuable resource for chemists interested in the fascinating chemistry and properties of polycyclic cage compounds.

Synthesis, Characterization and Energetic Properties of Hydroxymethyl-Bishomocubanone Derivatives.

The present work reports synthesis, characterization and theoretical insights on novel hydroxymethyl-bishomocubanone derivatives. Twelve new bishomocubanes (BHCs) were synthesized and fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and single crystal X-ray analysis. The densities of the title compounds were in the range of 1.

Approaches to 1,4-Disubstituted Cubane Derivatives as Energetic Materials: Design, Theoretical Studies and Synthesis.

Novel 1,4-disubstituted cubane derivatives have been designed and selected ones have been successfully synthesized and characterized by various analytical and spectroscopic techniques, including single-crystal X-ray analysis. A detailed computational study at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory revealed that all newly designed 1,4-disubstituted cubane derivatives possess higher densities, higher density-specific impulse and superior ballistic properties when compared to conventional fuels, for example, RP-1. These compounds also exhibit acceptable kinetic and thermodynamic stabilities which were evaluated in terms of their HOMO-LUMO energy gap and bond dissociation energies, respectively, and are superior to TEX and many other compounds containing explosophoric groups.

Investigation of sooting flames by color-ratio pyrometry with a consumer-grade DSLR camera.

The accurate measurement of temperature in sooty flames remains a challenging task. In this study, the procedure for calibration and use of a consumer-grade digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera for the measurement of temperature in sooty flames using color-ratio pyrometry (CRP) is elucidated. Owing to the necessity of acquiring RAW images for CRP, investigations conducted thus far have been limited to stable flames.

Liquid-phase decomposition mechanism for bis(triaminoguanidinium) azotetrazolate (TAGzT).

This work provides new insights for the liquid-phase decomposition of bis(triaminoguanidinium) azotetrazolate (TAGzT). The liquid-phase decomposition process was investigated using a combined experimental and computational approach. Sub-milligram samples of TAGzT were heated at rates of about 2000 K s-1 to a set temperature (230 to 260 °C) where liquid-phase decomposition occurred under isothermal conditions.