Rate constants for the gas‐phase reaction of CF3CF2CF2CF2CF2CHF2 with OH radicals at 250–430 K

The rate constants k₁ for the reaction of CF₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂ with OH radicals were determined by using both absolute and relative rate methods. The absolute rate constants were measured at 250–430 K using the flash photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence (FP‐LIF) technique and the laser photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence (LP‐LIF) technique to monitor the OH radical concentration. The relative rate constants were measured at 253–328 K in an 11.5‐dm³ reaction chamber with either CHF₂Cl or CH₂FCF₃ as a reference compound. OH radicals were produced by UV photolysis of an O₃–H₂O–He mixture at an initial pressure of 200 Torr. Ozone was continuously introduced into the reaction chamber during the UV irradiation. The k₁ (298 K) values determined by the absolute method were (1.69 ± 0.07) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (FP‐LIF method) and (1.72 ± 0.07) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (LP‐LIF method), whereas the K₁ (298 K) values determined by the relative method were (1.87 ± 0.11) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (CHF₂Cl reference) and (2.12 ± 0.11) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (CH₂FCF₃ reference). These data are in agreement with each other within the estimated experimental uncertainties. The Arrhenius rate constant determined from the kinetic data was K₁ = (4.71 ± 0.94) × 10^?13 exp[?(1630 ± 80)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Using kinetic data for the reaction of tropospheric CH₃CCl₃ with OH radicals [k₁ (272 K) = 6.0 × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, tropospheric lifetime of CH₃CCl₃ = 6.0 years], we estimated the tropospheric lifetime of CF₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂ through reaction with OH radicals to be 31 years. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 26–33, 2004     

Positions of convex bodies associated to extremal problems and isotropic measures

We show that there are close relations between extremal problems in dual Brunn-Minkowski theory and isotropic-type properties for some Borel measures on the sphere. The methods we use allow us to obtain similar results in the context of Firey-Brunn-Minkowski theory. We also study reverse inequalities for dual mixed volumes which are related with classical positions, such as ?-position or isotropic position.     

Skew-Hermitian Triangular Splitting Iteration Methods for Non-Hermitian Positive Definite Linear Systems of Strong Skew-Hermitian Parts

By further generalizing the skew-symmetric triangular splitting iteration method studied by Krukier, Chikina and Belokon (Applied Numerical Mathematics, 41 (2002), pp. 89–105), in this paper, we present a new iteration scheme, called the modified skew-Hermitian triangular splitting iteration method, for solving the strongly non-Hermitian systems of linear equations with positive definite coefficient matrices. We discuss the convergence property and the optimal parameters of this new method in depth. Moreover, when it is applied to precondition the Krylov subspace methods like GMRES, the preconditioning property of the modified skew-Hermitian triangular splitting iteration is analyzed in detail. Numerical results show that, as both solver and preconditioner, the modified skew-Hermitian triangular splitting iteration method is very effective for solving large sparse positive definite systems of linear equations of strong skew-Hermitian parts.     

Naphthyl azomesogens with lateral chloro groups

A homologous series of azomesogens, 2″-[4-(4′-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-2-chlorophenylazo] naphthalenes, with lateral chloro groups was synthesised. All the homologues synthesized exhibit enantiotropic nematic mesophase. The mesomorphic properties of the present series are compared with other structurally related series to evaluate the effect of lateral chloro group and its position on mesomorphism This paper was presented at the 10th National Conference on Liquid Crystals held at Bangalore, India during 9–11 October 2003.     

Indeterminacy Criteria for the Stieltjes Matrix Moment Problem

In this paper, we obtain criteria for the indeterminacy of the Stieltjes matrix moment problem. We obtain explicit formulas for Stieltjes parameters and study the multiplicative structure of the resolvent matrix. In the indeterminate case, we study the analytic properties of the resolvent matrix of the moment problem. We describe the set of all matrix functions associated with the indeterminate Stieltjes moment problem in terms of linear fractional transformations over Stieltjes pairs.     

A solvent-free synthesis of coumarins using a Wells-Dawson heteropolyacid as catalyst

Substituted coumarins are synthesized from phenols and β-ketoesters by the Pechmann reaction, using a Wells-Dawson heteropolyacid (H₆P₂W₁₈O₆₂·24H₂O) as catalyst by a solvent-free procedure. This one requires low reaction times, 130 °C temperature and as little as 1 mol % of Wells-Dawson acid, obtaining good to excellent yields of coumarins. The catalyst showed to be reusable with no differences in the yields. The results are compared with those of the reactions performed in toluene solution. The presented synthetic procedure is a convenient, clean and fast alternative for synthesizing 4-substituted coumarins (17 examples).