Polyvinyl nitrate

Polyvinyl nitrate (abbreviated: PVN) is a high-energy polymer with the idealized formula of [CH₂CH(ONO₂)]. Polyvinyl nitrate is a long carbon chain (polymer) with nitrate groups ${\displaystyle {\ce {(-O-NO2)}}}$ bonded randomly along the chain. PVN is a white, fibrous solid, and is soluble in polar organic solvents such as acetone. PVN can be prepared by nitratingpolyvinyl alcohol with an excess of nitric acid. Because PVN is also a nitrate ester such as nitroglycerin (a common explosive), it exhibits energetic properties and is commonly used in explosives and propellants.