Synthesis of Phosphonoindoprofen

Two synthetic routes to phosphonic analogues of indoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, were developed by the cyclization of aniline 2 (method A) and by the Arbuzov reaction of corresponding alkylchloride 3 with triethylphosphite (method B).     

Structure and magnetic properties of Cu-Fe fiber composites obtained using packet hydrostatic extrusion

The structure and magnetic properties of Cu-Fe fiber composites prepared by packet hydrostatic extrusion are studied. The number of armco-iron fibers in the copper matrix attained n ∼ 8 × 10¹⁰, and rated diameter d of fibers varied from 2 mm to 3 nm. A correlation is observed between the magnetization hysteresis curves and low-frequency magnetic susceptibility obtained on samples with various values of d. It is shown that the magnetic properties of composites in the submicrometer range of d values are satisfactorily described in the magnetization reversal theory for small ferromagnetic particles.     

Sten Andersson is 80

There is a special collection of contribution in the August 2012 issue of Structural Chemistry honoring the Swedish crystallographer Sten Andersson. This Encomium emphasizes the exemplary characteristics of his oeuvre.     

Multicomponent periodic nanoparticle superlattices

In this article, we review the state-of-the-art in the preparation and characterization of multicomponent self-assembled superlattices of colloidal nanoparticles with core sizes in the range of 2–20 nm and interparticle spacing less than 2 nm down to intimate contact stemming from sintering. Several aspects of the field are discussed, including: structural organization, the role of particle size distribution, key interparticle forces at play, and methods of investigation of the structures. Contrary to the extensively studied colloidal crystals composed of microscale particles, the nanoparticles possess unique size-dependent properties, such as electronic, optical, or magnetic, which when combined into periodic structures can potentially lead to new collective states stemming from precise positioning of the nanocolloids. As such, we examine a number of emerging applications of this new class of metamaterials. Finally, we speculate on the potential impact of these materials, the new directions, and the challenges for the researchers.     

Dynamics of superconducting qubits with exactly solvable bias pulses

The dynamics of a quantum two-state system (qubit) with external control bias pulses of special shapes is considered. The bias pulses represent the potentials for which the Schrödinger equation can be solved exactly. The probability to register a definite direction of the current in a loop and its time-averaged values are calculated for the flux qubit; calculations are performed both analytically and numerically in the presence of relaxation and decoherence within the framework of the density matrix formalism. It is demonstrated that there exist external bias pulses for which the definite current direction probability is a monotonically increasing function of time that approaches a limiting value exceeding 1/2. The probability to find the system in the excited state is calculated, and the possibility of inverse population in a properly driven two-state system is demonstrated given that the relaxation and decoherence rates are small enough.