Syntin
Encyclopedia
Syntin is a hydrocarbon
with the molecular formula C10H16 used as a rocket fuel. It is a mixture of cis and trans isomer
s. It has a density of 0.851 g/mL, and a boiling point of 158 °C. Due to the presence of three strained cyclopropane
rings, the molecule has high positive enthalpy of formation: ΔfH°(l)= 133 kJ/mol (980 kJ/kg, the average value for the isomeric mixture), bringing additional energy during the combustion process. Thus, it has advantages over the traditional hydrocarbon fuels, such as RP-1
, due to higher density, lower viscosity
and higher specific heat of oxidation.
Syntin was used in the Soviet Union
and later Russia
in 1980s-1990s as fuel for the Soyuz-U2
rocket. It was first synthesized in USSR in the 1960 and brought to mass production in the 1970s. It was prepared in a multi-step synthetic process from common hydrocarbon sources. After dissolution of the USSR, the production of this fuel became too expensive and was halted.
Hydrocarbon
In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons from which one hydrogen atom has been removed are functional groups, called hydrocarbyls....
with the molecular formula C10H16 used as a rocket fuel. It is a mixture of cis and trans isomer
Isomer
In chemistry, isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas. Isomers do not necessarily share similar properties, unless they also have the same functional groups. There are many different classes of isomers, like stereoisomers, enantiomers, geometrical...
s. It has a density of 0.851 g/mL, and a boiling point of 158 °C. Due to the presence of three strained cyclopropane
Cyclopropane
Cyclopropane is a cycloalkane molecule with the molecular formula C3H6, consisting of three carbon atoms linked to each other to form a ring, with each carbon atom bearing two hydrogen atoms...
rings, the molecule has high positive enthalpy of formation: ΔfH°(l)= 133 kJ/mol (980 kJ/kg, the average value for the isomeric mixture), bringing additional energy during the combustion process. Thus, it has advantages over the traditional hydrocarbon fuels, such as RP-1
RP-1
RP-1 is a highly refined form of kerosene outwardly similar to jet fuel, used as a rocket fuel. Although having a lower specific impulse than liquid hydrogen , RP-1 is cheaper, can be stored at room temperature, is far less of an explosive hazard and is far denser...
, due to higher density, lower viscosity
Viscosity
Viscosity is a measure of the resistance of a fluid which is being deformed by either shear or tensile stress. In everyday terms , viscosity is "thickness" or "internal friction". Thus, water is "thin", having a lower viscosity, while honey is "thick", having a higher viscosity...
and higher specific heat of oxidation.
Syntin was used in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and later Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
in 1980s-1990s as fuel for the Soyuz-U2
Soyuz-U2
The Soyuz-U2 was a Soviet, later Russian, carrier rocket. It was derived from the Soyuz-U, and a member of the R-7 family of rockets...
rocket. It was first synthesized in USSR in the 1960 and brought to mass production in the 1970s. It was prepared in a multi-step synthetic process from common hydrocarbon sources. After dissolution of the USSR, the production of this fuel became too expensive and was halted.