Synthesis and Thermal Degradation Kinetics of Cyclopropanated β‐Pinane for Rocket and Missile Fuel Applications

The development of high‐energy‐density (HED) hydrocarbon fuels derived from renewable feedstocks is of significant interest for advanced rocket and missile propulsion systems requiring compact fuel storage and high volumetric energy output. In this study, cyclopropanated β‐pinane (CPBP) was synthesized from bio‐derived β‐pinene through Simmons–Smith cyclopropanation route and systematically investigated for its thermal degradation behavior and decomposition kinetics. Comprehensive spectroscopic and chromatographic characterization using FTIR, NMR, GC–FID, and GC–MS/MS confirmed the successful incorporation of cyclopropane moieties. The synthesized fuel exhibited a density of 0.894 g mL ⁻¹ , net heat of combustion (NHOC) of 43.62 MJ kg ⁻¹ , kinematic viscosity of 7.55 mm ²  s ⁻¹ at −20 °C, and a flash point of 49.3 °C, indicating its suitability for HED fuel applications. Thermal degradation behavior was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Decomposition kinetics were evaluated using the Kissinger and Friedman methods, yielding activation energies of 80.88 and 81.65 ± 0.42 kJ mol ⁻¹ , respectively. GC–MS/MS analysis of thermal degradation products revealed the formation of predominantly aromatic hydrocarbons, indicating hydrocarbon‐dominated degradation pathways. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the thermal degradation behavior, decomposition kinetics, and degradation product distribution of CPBP.