Flux line lattice symmetries in the borocarbide superconductor LuNi2B2C

We compare the results of small angle neutron scattering on the flux line lattice (FLL) obtained in the borocarbide superconductor LuNi₂B₂C with the applied field along the c- and a-axes. For H‖c the temperature dependence of the FLL structural phase transition from square to hexagonal symmetry was investigated. Above 10 K the transition onset field. H ₂(T), rises sharply, bending away from H _c2(T) in contradiction to theoretical predictions of the two merging. For H‖a a first order FLL reorientation transition is observed at H _tr=3–3.5 kOe. Below H _tr the FLL nearest neighbor direction is parallel to the b-axis, and above H _tr to the c-axis. This transition cannot be explained using nonlocal corrections to the London model.     

S-BLOCK COMPLEXES OF α, α′-STABILIZED CARBANIONS: RINGS,CHAINS, AND 2D NETWORKS

A series of lithiated and sodiated α, α′-stabilized carbanions, [RSO ₂ CHCN]^? and [(RO) ₂ P(O)CHCN]^? have been characterized in the solid-state and found to adopt related structures. A common structural theme is the “head-to-tail” bonding of the ligands to form ring dimers, polymeric chains, or two-dimensional networks.     

Identification of molecular reactive sites with an interactive volume rendering tool

A new molecular visualization tool is presented, EVolVis (an abbreviation of electronic volume visualizer). This software enables the user to interactively explore a molecule's electronic charge density for topological features. Using novel volume rendering techniques, the entire molecule can be probed without obstruction by opaque surfaces or preselection of specific orbitals or contours. Menus with sliding scales permit various ranges of the function of interest to be examined interactively. We have investigated the Laplacian of the electronic charge density calculated for several biomolecules that contain a variety of reactive sites: cisplatin, penamecillin and isomers of nitrogen bases from DNA. EVolVis is useful in identifying inner-shell features (cisplatin), polar, nonpolar and aromatic regions (penamecillin), hydrogen-bonding sites of varying strength (nitrogen bases and penamecillin) and other reactive sites (strained heterocycle in penamecillin). Received: 1 June 2000 / Accepted: 4 October 2000 / Published online: 28 February 2001     

H-transfer rates in ion-neutral complexes versus those in intact aliphatic ions

The relative rates of H-transfer between partners in ion-neutral complexes were compared with those in intramolecular rearrangements using results of first differential photoionization mass spectrometry measurements. Complex-mediated H-transfers are inferred to have rates of the same order as those for intramolecular hydrogen rearrangements, suggesting a similar range of motion of the reactive sites in both types of reactions. It is also concluded that at their fastest H-transfers take place between the partners in ion-neutral complexes within at most the time of several rotations of the partners in the complexes. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New high-energy luminescence bands from Co2+ in ZnSe

Three sharp absorption features in the energy range 2.36–2.55 eV have been detected in the transmission spectrum of Co-diffused ZnSe, and a number of luminescence transitions originating from the lowest of these states at 2.361 eV have been observed. Photoluminescence excitation spectra prove that these are high energy excited states of the Co²⁺_Zn impurity, a conclusion confirmed by comparison of measured and predicted luminescence energies. This represents the first identification of luminescence branching from a higher excited state of a transition metal ion in any semiconductor. The sharp, weakly phonon-coupled transitions involve either intra-impurity excitation or transitions from the impurity to localised states split off from a minimum in the conduction band. The implications of these observations for the mechanism of host-impurity energy transfer and for the nature of the excited state wavefunctions are discussed.     

4-Methoxy- and 4-cyano-substituted lithium aryloxides: electronic effects of substituents on aggregation

The para-substituted lithium aryloxides [{4-NC-C6H4OLi.(Pyr)2}2.Pyr] 1a, [{4-NC-C6H4OLi.(THF)2}2] 1b, [{4-MeO-C6H4OLi.Pyr}4] 2a, [4-MeO-C6H4OLi.(THF)n] 2b, [{4-NC-2,6-(t-Bu)2-C6H2OLi.(Pyr)2}infinity] 3a, [{4-NC-2,6-(t-Bu)2-C6H2OLi.(THF)2}infinity] 3b, [{4-MeO-2,6-(t-Bu)2-C6H2OLi.Pyr}2.(Pyr)2] 4a, and [4-MeO-2,6-(t-Bu)2-C6H2OLi.(THF)n] 4b were prepared by the direct deprotonation of the corresponding phenol with an alkyllithium base (BuLi or MeLi) in the appropriate solvent, either pyridine or THF. All compounds were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and the crystal structures of 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a, 3b and 4a were elucidated. The cyano derivatives 1a and 1b adopt discrete tetrasolvated Li2O2 ring dimers whereas the methoxy analogue 2a crystallizes as a tetrasolvated molecular tetramer with a pseudo cubic Li4O4 core. The sterically encumbered cyano derivatives 3a and 3b form isostructural 1D polymeric chains of monomers via bridging of the phenolate ligands through Li...NC and Li-O contacts. In comparison, the crystal structure of the methoxy counterpart 4a is a disolvated molecular Li2O2 ring dimer. Solution NMR spectroscopic studies of 1-4 in d5-pyridine and d8-THF indicate that the methoxy complexes are more highly aggregated than the cyano derivatives, consistent with the solid-state studies. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the HF/6-31G* level of theory indicate that the origin of the aggregation state variations between the cyano and methoxy complexes is due to electronic effects.     

Use of tetrameric cubane aggregates of lithium aryloxides as secondary building units in controlling network assembly

Pre-aggregation of lithium aryloxides into tetrahedral arrangements followed by crystallization with the divergent Lewis base dioxane results in the preparation of three types of coordination polymers: zig-zag chains, (6,3) sheets, and diamondoid lattices.