Double Michael Additions of Lithium Enolate of 1,4-Dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-6-en-8-One to Acrylates

Double Michael additions of lithium enolaie of 1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-6-en-8-one to four acrylates afforded bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ones with high regio- and stereoselectivities in moderate yields.     

Effects of diamines and their fluorinated groups on the color lightness and preparation of organosoluble aromatic polyimides from 2,2‐bis[4‐(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenyl]‐hexafluoropropane

To investigate the position and amount of the CF₃ group affecting the coloration of polyimides (PIs), we prepared 2,2‐bis[4‐(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane ( 2 ) with four CF₃ groups with 2‐chloro‐5‐nitrobenzotrifluoride and 2,2‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenol)hexafluoropropane. A series of soluble and light‐colored fluorinated PIs ( 5 ) were synthesized from 2 and various aromatic dianhydrides ( 3a – 3f ). 5a – 5f had inherent viscosities ranging from 0.80 to 1.19 dL/g and were soluble in amide polar solvents and even in less polar solvents. The glass‐transition temperatures of 5 were 221–265 °C, and the 10% weight‐loss temperatures were above 493 °C. Their films had cutoff wavelengths between 343 and 390 nm, b* values (a yellowness index) ranging from 5 to 41, dielectric constants of 2.68–3.01 (1 MHz), and moisture absorptions of 0.03–0.29 wt %. In a comparison of the PI series 6 – 8 based on 2,2‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane, 2,2‐bis[4‐(4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)phenyl]propane, and 2,2‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane, we found that the CF₃ group close to the imide group was more effective in lowering the color; this means that CF₃ of 5 , 7 , and 8f was more effective than that of 6c . The color intensity of the four PI series was lowered in the following order: 5 > 7 > 6 > 8 . The PI 5f , synthesized from diamine 2 and 4,4′‐hexafluoroisopropylidenediphthalic anhydride, had six CF₃ groups in a repeated segment, so it exhibited the lightest color among the four series. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 922–938, 2003     

Rheological and physical properties of aliphatic hyperbranched polyesters

The effects of the size (pseudo‐generation number) and nature of end groups on physical and rheological properties were investigated for a series of hyperbranched polyesters based on an ethoxylated pentaerythritol core and 2,2‐bis‐(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid repeat units. The observed linear dependence of the melt viscosity on the molar mass in the high pseudo‐generation‐number limit indicated that entanglement effects were substantially absent. Moreover, the marked influence of end capping of the end groups on the physical and rheological properties suggested that intermolecular interactions were dominated by contacts between the outer shells of the molecules, in which the end groups were assumed to be concentrated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1218–1225, 2004     

A flexible and generic approach to dynamic modelling of supply chains

In this paper, we present a new modelling approach for realistic supply chain simulation. The model provides an experimental environment for informed comparison between different supply chain policies. A basic simulation model for a generic node, from which a supply chain network can be built, has been developed using an object-oriented approach. This generic model allows the incorporation of the information and physical systems and decision-making policies used by each node. The object-oriented approach gives the flexibility in specifying the supply chain configuration and operation decisions, and policies. Stochastic simulations are achieved by applying Latin Supercube Sampling to the uncertain variables in descending order of importance, which reduces the number of simulations required. We also present a case study to show that the model is applicable to a real-life situation for dynamic stochastic studies.     

Random oscillations in the Van der Pol system under the action of a broadband random process

We construct the second approximation for random oscillations described by the Van der Pol equation which are under the action of a broadband random process. Translated from Ukrainskii Matematicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 50, No. 11, pp. 1517–1521, November, 1998.     

Interfacial structure and electrical properties of LaAlO3 gate dielectric films on Si by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

LaAlO₃ (LAO) gate dielectric films were deposited on Si substrates by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The interfacial structure and composition distribution were investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), and Auger-electron spectroscopy (AES). HRTEM confirms that there exists an interfacial layer between LAO and Si in most samples. AES, SIMS, and XPS analyses indicate that the interfacial layer is compositionally graded La–Al silicate and the Al element is severely deficient close to the Si surface. Electrical properties of LAO films were evaluated. No evident difference in electrical properties between samples with and without native SiO₂ layers was observed. The electrical properties are discussed in terms of LAO growth mechanisms, in relation to the interfacial structure. PACS 73.40.Qv; 81.15.Gh; 77.55.+f; 68.35.-p