Microscopic theory of the static structural properties and phase transformation of Ge

Using the atomic number as the only input, the static structural properties and the pressure-induced phase transformation of Ge are calculated within an ab initio density-functional pseudopotential scheme. Among a set of likely crystal structures, the diamond structure is found to be the most stable. The calculated lattice constant, cohesive energy, and bulk modulus are in excellent agreement with experiment, and the properties of the phase transformation to the β-tin structure under pressure accurately reproduced.     

Wave fronts in elastic membranes

This paper deals with nonlinear wave propagation in hyperelastic membranes from the point of view of wave front analysis. Conditions are formulated under which all three wave types which can propagate sweep out the same system of wave fronts on the membrane. Particular emphasis is placed on the situation arising when the membrane material is homogeneous, uni-directional homogeneous, and homogeneous-isotropic. The general form of the growth-decay equation governing the amplitude of acceleration waves is derived and discussed.     

A novel method for protection and deprotection of the carbonyl groups in 1,2-indanedione by conversion to dioxa-dithiapropellanes

1,2-Indanedione reacts with two equivalents of 2-mercaptoethanol to produce, instead of the expected 1,2-bis(1,3-oxathiolane), a dioxa-dithia[4.4.3] propellane. Other 1,2-indanediones produce analogous compounds. The protecting groups are removed at room temperature with NBS in aqueous acetone, to produce the original diketone.     

A reinvestigation of phenylene- and polyphenylene-mercurials

Evidence is presented to show that ortho-phenylenemercury is a trimer; no evidence was obtained for the previously reported hexameric form. Similarly, ortho-biphenylenemercury and its perfluoro-analogue exist as trimers and not tetramers, while ortho-terphenylenemercury is a dimer.     

Variation of the critical behavior in metamagnets

From a study of a simple mean field model for metamagnets we predict that new types of critical behavior may be observed in FeBr₂ and other similar systems.