A global investigation of phase equilibria using the perturbed-chain statistical-associating-fluid-theory approach

The recently developed perturbed-chain statistical-associating-fluid theory (PC-SAFT) is investigated for a wide range of model parameters including the parameter m representing the chain length and the thermodynamic temperature T and pressure p. This approach is based upon the first-order thermodynamic perturbation theory for chain molecules developed by Wertheim [M. S. Wertheim, J. Stat. Phys. 35, 19 (1984); ibid. 42, 459 (1986)] and Chapman et al. [G. Jackson, W. G. Chapman, and K. E. Gubbins, Mol. Phys. 65, 1 (1988); W. G. Chapman, G. Jackson, and K. E. Gubbins, ibid. 65, 1057 (1988)] and includes dispersion interactions via the second-order perturbation theory of Barker and Henderson [J. A. Barker and D. Henderson, J. Chem. Phys. 47, 4714 (1967)]. We systematically study a hierarchy of models which are based on the PC-SAFT approach using analytical model calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. For one-component systems we find that the analytical model in contrast with the simulation results exhibits two phase-separation regions in addition to the common gas-liquid coexistence region: One phase separation occurs at high density and low temperature. The second demixing takes place at low density and high temperature where usually the ideal-gas phase is expected in the phase diagram. These phenomena, which are referred to as "liquid-liquid" and "gas-gas" equilibria, give rise to multiple critical points in one-component systems, as well as to critical end points and equilibria of three fluid phases, which can usually be found in multicomponent mixtures only. Furthermore, it is shown that the liquid-liquid demixing in this model is not a consequence of a "softened" repulsive interaction as assumed in the theoretical derivation of the model. Experimental data for the melt density of polybutadiene with molecular mass Mw=45,000 gmol are correlated here using the PC-SAFT equation. It is shown that the discrepancies in modeling the polymer density at ambient temperature and high pressure can be traced back to the liquid-liquid phase separation predicted by the equation of state at low temperatures. This investigation provides a basis for understanding possible inaccuracies or even unexpected phase behavior which can occur in engineering applications of the PC-SAFT model aiming at predicting properties of macromolecular substances.     

On the conductance of order Markov chains

Let Q be a convex solid in ⁿ , partitioned into two volumes u and v by an area s. We show that s>min(u,v)/diam Q, and use this inequality to obtain the lower bound n ^-5/2 on the conductance of order Markov chains, which describe nearly uniform generators of linear extensions for posets of size n. We also discuss an application of the above results to the problem of sorting of posets.Computing Center of the USSR Academy of Sciences USSR     

Three-dimensional absolute and convective instabilities,and spatially amplifying waves in parallel shear flows

A formalism for absolute and convective instabilities in parallel shear flows is extended to the three-dimensional case. Assuming that the dispersion relation function is given byD(k, l, ), wherek andl are wave numbers, and is a frequency, the analytic criterion is formulated by which a point (k ₀,l ₀, ₀) with Im ₀>0 contributes to the absolute instability if and only if one of the two equivalent conditions is satisfied:

Investigation of the state of palladium in the Pd/SO4/ZrO2 system by diffuse-reflectance IR spectroscopy

The Pd/ZrO₂ and Pd/SO₄/ZrO₂ systems were investigated by diffuse-reflectance IR spectroscopy using CO as the probe molecule. For the Pd/ZrO₂ system, the behavior of the metal is characteristic of the weak metal-support interaction. Intense bands attibuted to the bridging CO species indicate the formation of large metal particles in the reduced systems. Modification of the ZrO₂ support with SO₄ ^2? anions leads to an increase in the metal—support interaction and makes the metal more resistant to reduction. On the surface promoted by SO₄ ^2? anions, metal particles with a positive charge (Pd⁺ and Pd^δ+) were observed. The smaller the size of the metal clusters and the higher degree of oxidation of sulfur, the stronger the influence of acidic protons and surface sulfur compounds on the metal.     

Molecular structure and spectral properties of thionaphthalimides

The molecular structure and absorption spectra of monothio- and dithio-naphthalimides were compared to their naphthalimide analogues using AM1, PM3 and ZINDO/S semiempirical quantum chemical methods. The substitution of the 4R-naphthalimide oxygen atoms by sulphur atoms resulted in a red-shift of the absorption spectra by Δλ_max60-65 and 100-140 nm, respectively. The thionated naphthalimide derivatives do not show observable fluorescence due to intersystem crossing to the triplet -states localised at the CS groups. The -absorption bands of monothioimides are located at 525-580 nm (ε=60-80) and those for dithioimides at 535-560 nm (ε=140-390) and 628-686 nm (ε=34-68). None of these transitions are solvent sensitive. The -transitions of N-phenylthioimides have also a small contribution from -states due to a partial conjugation between CS group and π-electronic system of the N-phenyl ring. As a result, the bands of aromatic substituted N-phenylthioimides are red-shifted as compared to those of the aliphatic N-methyl-thioimides.     

Crystal structure and nontrivial magnetic properties of CuII binuclear complex based on 4-methyl-2,6-bis{[2-(4,6-dimethyl-pyrimidin-2-yl)hydrazono]methyl}phenol

1. Download high-res image (167KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Spectroscopic Study of Azo- and Azoxycrowns Binding with Cations of Similar Ionic Radius

The complexation of 13- and 16-memberedazo- and azoxycrowns with metal cations of similarionic diameter (Na⁺ and Ca²⁺; and K⁺,Ba²⁺, Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺) was studied byuv/visible spectroscopic titration in acetonitrile andMeOH. In MeOH the 13-membered azo- and azoxycrowns 1 and 2 are weakly and non-selectively bound tohard cations of similar ionic diameter, but differentcharge (Na⁺ and Ca²⁺). At the same time thebinding to the soft cation Ag⁺ of larger sizethan the macrocycle cavity is considerably stronger.In contrast to solutions in acetonitrile no bindingwith the small Li⁺ cation was found.The 16-membered azocrowns 3 and 4 alsodiscriminate silver cation in MeOH withlog K = 3.65 ± 0.1 for both compounds.Unexpectedly low bindingwith the hard barium divalent cation of similar size(log K = 1.55 ± 0.4 and 1.95 ± 0.2, respectively)was found for these compounds. Similarly to13-membered compounds no binding with the smallLi⁺ cation was detected. A reverse order ofselectivity was observed for these crowns inacetonitrile with binding constant for association of3 with Ba²⁺ (log K 5.3) considerablyhigher than for other cations. The previously observedstrong binding with the smaller Li⁺ and Na⁺cations is confirmed.     

A remark on analytic Fredholm alternative

We apply a recent result of Borichev–Golinskii–Kupin on the Blaschke-type conditions for zeros of analytic functions on the complex plane with a cut along the positive semi-axis to the problem of the eigenvalues distribution of the Fredholm-type analytic operator-valued functions.     

Design and Synthesis of Nitrogen-Rich Azo-Bridged Furoxanylazoles as High-Performance Energetic Materials

A series of novel energetic materials comprising of azo-bridged furoxanylazoles enriched with energetic functionalities was designed and synthesized. These high-energy materials were thoroughly characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁴N) spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The molecular structures of representative amino and azo oxadiazole assemblies were additionally confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and X-ray powder diffraction. A comparison of contributions of explosophoric moieties into the density of energetic materials revealed that furoxan and 1,2,4-oxadiazole rings are the densest motifs while the substitution of the azide and amino fragments on the nitro and azo ones leads to an increase of the density. Azo bridged energetic materials have high nitrogen-oxygen contents (68.8–76.9 %) and high thermal stability. The synthesized compounds exhibit good experimental densities (1.62–1.88 g cm⁻³), very high enthalpies of formation (846–1720 kJ mol⁻¹), and, as a result, excellent detonation performance (detonation velocities 7.66–9.09 km s⁻¹ and detonation pressures 25.0–37.7 GPa). From the application perspective, the detonation parameters of azo oxadiazole assemblies exceed those of the benchmark explosive RDX, while a combination of high detonation performance and acceptable friction sensitivity of azo(1,2,4-triazolylfuroxan) make it a promising potential alternative to PETN.