Free differential algebras: Their use in field theory and dual formulation

The gauging of free differential algebras (FDA's) produces gauge field theories containing antisymmetric tensors. The FDA's extend the Cartan-Maurer equations of ordinary Lie algebras by incorporating p-form potentials (p>1). We study here the algebra of FDA transformations. To every p-form in the FDA, we associate an extended Lie derivative l generating a corresponding gauge transformation. The field theory based on the FDA is invariant under these new transformations. This gives geometrical meaning to the antisymmetric tensors. The algebra of Lie derivatives is shown to close and provides the dual formulation of FDA's.     

Kinetic study of nickel(II) complexation by pteroylglutamic acid

The kinetics of the complexation of NiII by pteroylglutamic acid have been studied in the 545 ∘C range, the ionic strength (0.6 M) being regulated with KNO3, in the 5.5–7.0pH range, using the stopped-flow method. Under the experimental conditions two processes were observed. The faster process was detected in the millisecond range and is associated with the reaction between NiII and the ligand. The slower is observed within a few seconds. Complementary equilibrium studies were made at 25 ∘C. The results are consistent with the formation of a 1:1 complex between the reactants, and a mechanism is proposed to account for the observed behaviour. Equilibrium constants for the NiII plus pteroylglutamic acid system, as well as activation parameters, are reported. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

New Hg2+ and Cu2+ selective chromo- and fluoroionophore based on a bichromophoric azine

[graph: see text] A new probe, 1,4-bis(1-pyrenyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene, selectively senses Hg2+ and Cu2+ through two different channels: the yellow-deep-pink color change and the enhancement of the fluorescence with the red shift of the excimer emission, which can visually be discernible by a green fluorescence in the presence of Hg2+ and an orange fluorescence in the presence of Cu2+.     

The reactions of some halogenated pyridines with methoxide and methanethiolate ions in dimethylformamide

The reactions of 2,6- and 2,5-dibromopyridines and of 2,3- and 3,5-dichloropyridines with sodium isopropanethiolate and methanethiolate afforded the products of mono- or of bis-substitution depending on the experimental conditions. The same pyridines reacted with sodium methoxide to give good yields of the mono-substituted products; bis-substitution occurred easily only in the case of the 2,6-dibromo- and of the 3,5-dichloropyridine. The syntheses of some methoxy thiomethoxypyridine, starting from the halogeno methoxypyridines or from the halogeno thiomethoxypyhdines are also described. The bis-(alkylthio)pyridines can be fragmented by sodium in HMPA to give the bis(mercapto)pyridines.     

Heme-protein active site models via self-assembly in water

[structure: see text] Water-soluble models of heme-protein active sites are obtained via the self-assembly of cationic porphyrins 1 and tetrasulfonato calix[4]arene 2 (K(1.2)() = 10(5) M(-)(1)). Selective binding of ligands either outside or inside the cavity of assemblies 1.2 via coordination to the zinc center has been observed. Small ligands such as 4-methylpyridine and 1-methylimidazole are encapsulated, while the bulkier caffeine is bound outside. Assemblies Co-1.2, in which the Zn porphyrin moiety has been replaced by a Co(II) porphyrin, can act as O(2) carriers.     

New Monte Carlo method for the self-avoiding walk

We introduce a new Monte Carlo algorithm for the self-avoiding walk (SAW), and show that it is particularly efficient in the critical region (long chains). We also introduce new and more efficient statistical techniques. We employ these methods to extract numerical estimates for the critical parameters of the SAW on the square lattice. We find=2.63820 ± 0.00004 ± 0.00030=1.352 ± 0.006 ± 0.025v=0.7590 ± 0.0062 ± 0.0042 where the first error bar represents systematic error due to corrections to scaling (subjective 95% confidence limits) and the second bar represents statistical error (classical 95% confidence limits). These results are based on SAWs of average length 166, using 340 hours CPU time on a CDC Cyber 170–730. We compare our results to previous work and indicate some directions for future research.     

Infrared active fundamental vibrations of TCNQ and chloranil monovalent anions

The interpretation of the infrared active fundamentals of TCNQ and chloranil monovalent anions is given for the first time. The rationalization of the infrared spectra was made possible by the recently achieved vibrational assignment of the corresponding neutral molecules and is mainly based on a set of judicious adjustments of their empirical valence force fields.     

Concavine, an unusual diterpenic alkaloid produced by the fungus Clitocybe concava

A novel alkaloid with an unprecedented ring system consisting of a dodecahydro-7-oxa-9a-aza-benzo[a]azulene ring (1), has been isolated from cultures of Clitocybe concava (Basidiomycetae). Its structure and relative stereochemistry were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Concavine presents a weak antibacterial activity.     

Conformational and photophysical studies on porphyrin-containing donor-bridge-acceptor compounds. Charge separation in micellar nanoreactors

Photophysical studies with semi-rigid, 1, and flexible, 2, donor-bridge-acceptor (D-b-A2+) molecules with D a porphyrin and A2+ a methyl viologen moiety, were performed in neat polar solvents as well as included in surfactant (DTAB) aqueous and in reverse AOT/n-alkane micelles. The micelles acted as nanoreactors for the photoinduced electron transfer reaction upon laser excitation. In spite of the longer lifetime of the charge separated (CS) state in the semi-rigid tetrad 1(ca. 200 ns vs. ca. 100 ns for the flexible dyad 2), the CS formation quantum yield, for example in acetonitrile, was lower for the former (phi(CS) = 0.13) than for the latter (0.58). Comparison of the time-resolved fluorescence data in neat solvent and in the micelles yielded the phi(CS) values in the dilute micellar solutions. Application of laser-induced optoacoustic spectroscopy at various temperatures to 1 dissolved in a polar organic solvent (benzonitrile, BZN) included in aqueous DTAB nanoreactors afforded structural volume changes for the production in hundreds of ps of the CS state upon excitation of a polar molecule. The contraction during CS formation upon excitation of the collapsed conformer in BZN is attributed to the entering of solvent into the open molecular cavity. The opening upon formation of the CS state due to photoinduced electron transfer in the 1 collapsed conformation arises from the repulsion of the two positively charged ends in this state, as previously calculated. Inclusion of 1 in reverse AOT micelles in various n-alkanes also led to a contraction upon excitation, but the data had much more error due to the limited range of variability of the ratio of thermoelastic parameters. The data obtained with the more flexible "supermolecule" 2 showed the predicted large conformation flexibility of these molecules.