ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 39, Number 5
JKCSEZ 39(5)
October 20, 1995 

Energetic oxetane derivatives which undergo cationic polymerizations have been investigated theoretically by using ab initio HF/3-21G calculations. We have examined structures, charges, and molecular electrostatic potentials. The ring structure of oxetane has changed significantly due to (1) the introduction of large substituents in the ring or (2) the addition of either proton or BF3. This structural change is attributed to electrostatic interactions and/or steric repulsions. The nucleophilicity and basicity of oxetane derivatives can be explained by the negative charge and the minimum electrostatic potential value of O atom. The reactivity in the polymerization can be rationalized by (1) the basicity of O atom and (2) the difference between HOMO energy of oxetanes and LUMO energy of activated oxetane polymeric chains. Our calculations predict that 3-azidomethyl-3-methyl oxetane (AMMO) is more basic than 3-nitratomethyl-3-methyl oxetane (NMMO), and AMMO is more reactive toward both AMMO and NMMO polymeric chains. Our results are in good agreement with previous experimental data.