A unique C–H allylation has been discovered with unbiased aliphatic olefins. An intimate M–L affiliation between a high-valent cobalt catalyst and amino-quinoline derived benzamides has been found to be crucial for this unprecedented selectivity. An exemplary set of aliphatic olefins, high yields coupled with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity, and wide functional group tolerances are noteworthy. In addition, a catalytically competent organometallic Co­(III) species has been identified through X-ray crystallography. This study is expected to facilitate new synthetic designs toward unconventional allylic selectivity with aliphatic olefins.

Palladium catalyzed selective distal C-H activation with nitrile based templates has been of significant research interest in recent times. In this report, we disclose the distal C-H olefination of biphenyl systems with high regio- and stereo-selectivity and useful synthetic yields. The utility of this method has been demonstrated through its wide olefin scope, its operation at the gram scale and the easy removal/recovery of the directing group.

 Friction sensitivity of composite propellants and their ingredients is of significant interest to mitigate the risk associated with the accidental initiation while processing, handling, and transportation. In this work, attempts were made to examine the friction sensitivity of passive binder: Hydroxy Terminated Polybutadiene/Aluminium/Ammonium Perchlorate and active binder: (Polymer + Nitrate Esters)/Ammonium Perchlorate/Aluminium/Nitramine based composite propellants by using BAM Friction Apparatus. As per the recommendation of NATO standard STANAG–4487, the friction sensitivity was assessed by two methods: Limiting Frictional load and Frictional load for 50% probability of initiation (F50). The test results showed that the active binder based formulations were more vulnerable to frictional load as compared to the formulations with passive binders. Examination of a comprehensive set of propellant compositions revealed that the particle size distribution of Ammonium Perchlorate and burn rate catalysts were the most influential factors in dictating the friction sensitivity for HTPB/Al/AP composite propellants. For active binder/AP/Al/Nitramine composite propellants, the formulation with RDX was found more friction sensitive with a sensitivity value of 44 N as compared to its HMX analog (61 N). The correlation studies of friction sensitivity, burning rate, and thermal decomposition characteristics of HTPB/Al/AP composite propellants is described.

The acoustic emission technique has been considered to be one of the most reliable and robust methods for the measurement of the steady burning rate of composite propellants. In this work, attempts were made to quantify the measurement variability of the burning rate of composite solid propellants by acoustic emission method using statistical tools. A total of 1100 individual measurements were subjected to statistical treatment. The combination of confidence interval and repeatability limit delineated the extent of natural dispersion in the burning rate measurement data. The very high coefficient of variation values for the propellant compositions, having a burning rate of more than 25 mm s–1 raised concerns about the suitability of the acoustic emission method for high burning rate compositions. The Reliability interval approach was employed to determine the statistically significant sample size for different composite propellants having a burning rate range of 5–31 mm s–1. The entire set of data was screened for identification of outlying observation using the Dixon Q test, and the extent of contamination was quantified. Moreover, the application of statistical techniques could have far-reaching implications for quality control perspectives of burning rate measurement by acoustic emission and could be implemented as reference tolerance limits and preventive measures for ensuring the good health of the instrument as well as propellant processing.