Synthesis and properties of high-energy-density hydrocarbons based on 5-vinyl-2-norbornene

•An approach to high-energy-density hydrocarbons based on 5-vinyl-2-norbornene was developed.•Structure-property study of norbornane hydrocarbons for high-energy-density liquid fuels was performed.•High densities (0.856–0.977 g/cm3) and low freezing points (below −60 °C) were disclosed for the studied hydrocarbons.•A high energy density (up to 41.24 MJ/L) was achieved, which is noticeably higher than that of JP-10.