Deacetalisation-bicyclisation routes to novel polycyclic heterocycles using stannous chloride dihydrate

The stannous chloride dihydrate-mediated deprotection-bicyclisation of a range of amides possessing a pendant acetal group is reported. These mild reaction conditions have been used to prepare a number of ring-fused heterocyclic compounds, some in enantiomerically pure form, which should be of interest both in their own right and as building blocks for the production of more complex target molecules.     

Nanostructures in calcia stabilized hafnia thin films observed by PAC as a function of temperature

The hyperfine quadrupole interaction at Hf sites in films and powders of 14 mol% CaO–HfO₂ and 20 mol% CaO–HfO₂ has been determined as a function of temperature. Results indicate the formation of a cubic solid solution and other microstructures assigned to the ?₁ (CaHf₄O₉) and ?₂ (Ca₆Hf₁₉O₄₄) phases. Dynamical effects on the electric field gradient reveal the existence of oxygen vacancies movements in the solid solution. The thermal behavior of the relaxation constant observed in films allowed the determination of activation energies of 0.54 eV and 0.70 eV for the 14 mol% and 20 mol% CaO doped hafnias, respectively. The influence of the microdomains and the stability of the cubic solid solution are discussed.     

On the global structure of crystalline surfaces

We bound the number of plane segments in a crystalline minimal surface S in terms of its Euler characteristic, the number of line segments in its boundary, and a factor determined by the Wulff shapeW of its surface energy function. A major technique in the proofs is to quantize the Gauss map ofS based on the Gauss map ofW. One thereby bounds the number of positive-curvature corners and the interior complexity ofS. The support of the National Science Foundation and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the hospitality of Stanford University, where this paper was extensively rewritten, are gratefully acknowledged.     

Fast atom bombardment mass spectra of keto acid and keto ester phosphoranes

Positive-ion fast atom bombardment mass spectra of 13 keto acid and keto ester phosphoranes were examined. All compounds gave a protonated molecular ion and characteristic peaks at m/z 303, 279, 262 and 201.     

Laboratory simulation of atmospheric turbulence-induced optical wavefront distortion

Real-time liquid crystal television-based technique for simulating optical wavefront distortion due to atmospheric turbulence is presented and demonstrated. A liquid crystal television (LCTV) operating in the “phase mostly” mode was used as an array of spatially correlated phase delays. A movie of the arrays in motion was then generated and displayed on the LCTV. The turbulence simulation system was verified by passing a collimated and doubled diode pumped Nd:YVO₄ laser beam (532 nm) through the transparent LCTV screen. The beam was then passed through a lens and the power spectra of the turbulence information carrying beam was detected as a measure of the far-field distribution. The same collimated laser beam, without the LCTV, was also transmitted down an open-air range and the power spectra detected as a measure of a real far-field distribution. Accepted turbulence parameters were measured for both arrangements and then compared.     

Rheological and diffusion properties of a dextran-con A polymer in the presence of Insulin and Magnesium

Previous work carried out in our laboratories has focused on the formation and investigation of a dextran and concanavalin A (con A) based gel, which has the ability to alter its conformational structure in the presence and absence of free and terminal glucoses such that a gel–sol phase transition occurs. Here we report the diffusion and rheological investigations in to the effects of the addition of insulin and varyingconcentrations of magnesium chloride hexahydrate (Mg₂Cl₂6H₂O) at 20 and 37 °C. Rheological examination of glucose-sensitive (dextran-con A) gels were conducted using a cone and plate viscometer used in continual rotation and oscillatory modes. The results are interpreted in terms of the structure of the gel network and suggest rheological assessment provides an effective method of assessing the properties of gel systems. The subsequent testing of such formulations in in-vitro diffusion experiments revealed a reduction in the rate of diffusivity in the insulin marker, poly R-478 dye. The performance of this self-regulating drug delivery system has been examined and the addition of insulin and magnesium chloride may alter the way in which the gel operates as a drug delivery device and in the delivery of insulin. This may have implications for other ligands.     

TDPAC study in ZnTiF6·6H2O between room temperature and 1273 K

Using the time differential perturbed angular correlation technique, the hyperfine interactions as titanium sites in ZnTiF6·6H₂O and its decomposition products were determined between room temperature (300 K) and 1273 K. The different steps in the decomposition pattern were identified and a simple model is given for it.