Preparation of ferrocene-based phenylethylamino compounds and their properties as burning rate catalysts

Ferrocene (Fc)-based compounds as common burning rate catalysts (BRCs) are often used in composite solid propellants, such as catocene ( Cat ). To solve the migration problem of common Fc-based compounds, six novel ferrocene (Fc)-based phenylethylamino BRCs were designed and synthesized. Their structures as well as catalytic performance for ammonium perchlorate (AP) decomposition were studied by UV–Vis, FT-IR, 1 H NMR, 19 F NMR, ESI-MS, EA, CV and TG, respectively. The test results indicated that these Fc-based phenylethylamino BRCs had good catalytic activity for thermal decomposition of AP and better anti-migration ability than Cat and Fc in simulated AP-based propellant. Among these compounds, Fc-2 showed the best catalytic activity for thermal decomposition of AP and Fc-6 showed the best anti-migration ability. This study demonstrates that Fc-based phenylethylamino compounds are promising BRCs for AP-based propellant.