Fragmentation of doubly charged argon clusters

Fragmentation of doubly charged argon clusters is reported. Neutral argon clusters are excited with monochromatized synchrotron radiation in the energy regime of the argonL ₃/L ₂ absorption edges (240–260 eV) leading predominantly to cluster dication formation. All charged particles are detected in a photoelectron-photoion-photoion-concidence (PEPIPICO) experiment. Symmetric and asymmetric charge separation reactions (Coulomb explosion) are identified for clusters below the critical size of stable dication formation. The peak shapes of the coincidence signals are investigated as a function of neutral cluster size. Characteristic changes in peak shape are observed which are used to derive fragmentation mechanisms involving sequential evaporation of neutrals before and after charge separation. The spectra indicate in accordance with low kinetic energy releases occurring in charge separation of large dissociative cluster dications (Ar _n ²⁺ , withn>50) that due to large charge separation distances the momenta of both singly charged fragments are not any more directed into opposite direction, as it is typical for Coulomb explosion. The results are compared to collision induced fragmentation of mass selected argon cluster dications as well as photon stimulated desorption spectra of condensed argon.     

New fluorinated polysiloxanes containing an ester function in the spacer. I. Synthesis and characterization

Unsaturated perfluoroalkyl esters derived from undecylenic acid: CH₂?CH? (CH₂)₈? COO? CH₂? CH₂? R_F (with R_F?C₆F₁₃, 2a and R_F?C₈F₁₇, 2b ) and C₈F₁₇? (CH₂)₁₀? COO? CH₂? CH?CH₂, 2c were prepared with excellent yields. Their hydrosilylation by methylhydrodimethylsiloxane copolymers of various Si? H contents gives new fluorinated polysiloxanes which were examined by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, GPC, differential scanning calorimetry, and optical polarizing microscopy. Polymers derived from compounds 2a and 2b exhibit mesomorphic structures. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Molecular electrotatic potential of a triple stranded helix: Poly(dT)·poly(dA)·poly(dT)

The molecular electrostatic potential of the triple helix poly(dT)·tpoly(dA)·poly(dT) is calculated, and the results are examined in relation to those obtained for its component double and single helical parts. For the double helix presenting the standard Watson–Crick hydrogen bonds, the deepest potentials are formed on the side of the major groove, a situation similar to that observed in the A-DNA duplex. For the double helix presenting Hoogsteen-type hydrogen bonds the deepest potentials lie in the major groove, on the side of the pyrimidine strand. In the triple helix the deepest potentials are located in the major groove in a narrow zone over the thymine bases of the Watson–Crick pair.     

Crystalline molecular alloys

The dicationic tecton 1-2H(+) leads in the presence of anionic M(CN)(6)(3-) complexes to two almost identical crystalline systems A (M = Fe) and B (M = Co) composed of 2-D H-bonded networks and water molecules. The epitaxial growth of B on A used as seed or A on B generates crystalline molecular alloys.     

Synthesis of highly functionalized furanones via aldol reaction of 3-silyloxyfurans

[reaction: see text] The stereoselective aldol reaction of 3-silyloxyfurans with aldehydes in the presence of a Lewis acid is described. N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS)-mediated cyclization of the aldol product leads to the formation of the 2,7-dioxa-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-one ring system, which represents the formal product of hetero Diels-Alder reaction of the furan with the aldehyde.     

The preparation of new chiral diphenyl-substituted macrocyclic polyether-diester compounds and their enantiomeric recognition of chiral organic ammonium salts

A series of chiral diphenyl-substituted macrocyclic polyether-diester ligands have been prepared from the chiral diphenyl-substituted tetraethylene glycol. Enantiomeric recogntion by the chiral diphenyl-substituted pyridino-diester-18-crown-6 compound ( 7 ) was studied by temperature dependent ¹H NMR spectroscopy in deuteriodichloromethane. This ligand exhibited chiral recognition when complexed with the hydrogen per-chlorate salts of (R)- and (S)-α-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine and (R)- and (S)-methyl phenylalaninate.     

Study and characterization of virgin and recycled LDPE/PP blends

Recycling of mixed plastic wastes composed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix and polypropylene (PP) was carried out by compounding using single-screw or twin-screw extruders. Blends of virgin polymers have been prepared to compare mechanical properties of both virgin and regenerated materials. First, a model composition of virgin LDPE/PP blend was prepared to study the effect of process parameters and that of different types of compatibilizers. Second, the results were applied to plastic wastes coming from industrial post-consumer plastic wastes. By adding compatibilizing agents such as ethylene-propylene-diene monomer, ethylene-propylene monomer, or PE-g-(2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) graft copolymer, elongation at break and impact strength were improved for all blends. The effect of these various copolymers is quite different and is in relation with their chemical structure. The recycled blends exhibit suitable properties leading to applications that require good mechanical properties.     

Separation of arsenic anions by capillary zone electrophoresis with UV detection

Summary Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) in capillary silica columns has been used for the separation of arsenite (AsO ₂ ^– ), arsenate (AsO ₄ ^3– ), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). The separation of these ionic species has been achieved using a capillary silica column (72 cm×50 m i.d.) with an acidic phosphate buffer and with an on-column UV detection (190 nm). Optimization of experimental parameters (pH, temperature, voltage) were studied. The selectivity of the separation can be improved by working in the pH-range of 4.5–6.5. For analytical inorganic separations of UV-absorbing anions, capillary zone electrophoresis has advantages because of the relatively simple equipment, the short analysis time (15 min), the high efficiency and the low mass detection limit (40 pg for arsenate).     

Bifonazole-β-cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes. Thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction study

The complexation of bifonazole, an antimycotic hydrophobic imidazole derivative, with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was investigated in solid phase, using the following complementary techniques: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and X-ray powder diffractometry. The β-CD-bifonazole samples were prepared in both aqueous medium by coprecipitation and in solid state by kneading method and the β-CD-bifonazole binary diagrams were drawn. The experimental results demonstrate the formation of two binary compounds, β-CD-bifonazole and (β-CD)_x bifonazole (x =2 or 4). The first compound may be an inclusion compound and the second a crystallized compound, in which the bifonazole is not necessarily included in the cyclodextrin internal cavity. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Redox-active polymers based on nonbridged metal-metal bonds. Electrochemical formation of [Os(bpy)(CO)(L)](n) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; L = CO, MeCN) and of their reduced forms: a spectroelectrochemical study

IR, UV-vis, and EPR spectroelectrochemistry at variable temperatures and in different solvents were applied to investigate in situ the formation of electroactive molecular chains with a nonbridged Os-Os backbone, in particular, the polymer [Os(0)(bpy)(CO)(2)](n) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), from a mononuclear Os(II) carbonyl precursor, [Os(II)(bpy)(CO)(2)Cl(2)]. The one-electron-reduced form, [Os(II)(bpy(.)(-))(CO)(2)Cl(2)](-), has been characterized spectroscopically at low temperatures. This radical anion is the key intermediate in the electrochemical propagation process responsible for the metal-metal bond formation. Unambiguous spectroscopic evidence has been gained also for the formation of [[Os(0)(bpy(*)(-))(CO)(2)](-)](n), the electron-rich electrocatalyst of CO(2) reduction. The polymer species are fairly well soluble in butyronitrile, which is important for their potential utilization in nanoscience, for example, as conducting molecular wires. We have also shown that complete solubility is accomplished for the monocarbonyl-acetonitrile derivative of the polymer, [Os(0)(bpy)(CO)(MeCN)(2)Cl](n).