Observations of surface modifications induced by the multiple pulse irradiation using a soft picosecond x-ray laser beam

To study the interactions between picosecond soft x-ray laser (SXRL) beams and material surfaces, gold (Au), copper (Cu), and silicon (Si) surfaces were irradiated with SXRL pulses having a wavelength of 13.9 nm and a duration of ～7 ps. Following irradiation, the surfaces of the substrates were observed using a scanning electron microscope and an atomic force microscope. With single pulse irradiation, ripple-like structures were formed on the Au and Cu surfaces. These structures were different from previously investigated conical structures formed on an Al surface. In addition, it was confirmed that the development of modified structures, i.e., growth of hillocks on the Au and Cu surfaces, was observed after multiple SXRL pulse exposures. However, on the Si surface, deep holes that seemed to be melted structures induced by the accumulation of multiple pulses of irradiations were found. Therefore, it was concluded that SXRL beam irradiation of various material surfaces causes different types of surface modifications, and the changes in the surface behaviors are attributed to the differences in the elemental properties, such as the attenuation length of x-ray photons.     

Intermolecular coupling of alkynes, isocyanates, and acyl chlorides: an efficient method for the synthesis of 5-hydroxypyrrol-2(5H)-ones

New insights into the reaction of diethylzirconocene with an alkyne, an isocyanate, and an acyl chloride in this order are reported. The products of 5-hydroxypyrrol-2(5H)-ones are obtained in good yields after hydrolysis. It is an efficient method for the synthesis of 5-hydroxypyrrol-2(5H)-ones.     

A three carbon homologation by the ring-opening of β-propiolactones with diorganocuprates

Various organocuprates react with β-propiolactones to give β-substituted propionic acids in high yields.     

Crystal structure of polyisobutylene

The crystal structure of polyisobutylene was determined by x-ray analysis. The orthorhombic cell, with a = 6.88 Å, b = 11.91 Å, c (fiber axis) = 18.60 Å (space group: P2₁2₁2₁ ? D), contains two molecular chains each consisting of eight monomeric units in the fiber identity period. The chain conformation is essentially an (8/3) helix, but deviates appreciably from the exact (8/3) helix symmetry. The symmetry of the molecular chain is only a twofold screw axis in exact sense, and a crystallographic asymmetric unit consists of four monomeric units. The torsional angles are where M denotes the methyl group. The averaged skeletal C? CH₂? C and C? CM₂? C bond angles are 128° and 110°, respectively. The large C? CH₂? C bond angles may be due to steric respulsion between the adjacent methyl groups, giving intramolecular distances larger than 3.09 Å.     

Effect of counterion species on colloidal crystal

The effect of counterion species on the colloidal crystal structure in a dispersion was carefully investigated as a function of the degree of neutralization (alpha) by the ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering technique. The nearest neighbor interparticle distance (2D(exp)) first increased with decreasing alpha, and then decreased after passing through the maximum. This behavior was confirmed for K(+), Li(+), Ca(2+), TMA(+) (tetramethylammonium) as a counterion, and Na(+) in our previous report (Harada, T.; Matsuoka, H.; Ikeda, T.; Yamaoka, H. Langmuir 2000, 16, 1612). However, the alpha value of the maximum position (alpha(max)) largely depended on the counterion species, and it was in the order K(+) < Na(+) < TMA(+) approximately Li(+). This behavior was well characterized by the specific features of each ion: the alpha(max) map could be well superimposed in the Stokes radius-crystal ion radius relationship of counterions. The alpha(max) dependence on Stokes radius was very similar to that of the B coefficient by Jones and Dole except in the case of Ca(2+). In principle, the smaller the value for B, the smaller alpha(max), indicating that a water structure breaker such as K(+) can more easily destroy the colloidal crystal structure. In other words, the effect of the counterion species on colloidal crystal stability follows the Hofmeister series. Including Ca(2+), the relationship was linear for the alpha(max) values plotted as a function of the limiting equivalent conductivity of small ions. A counterion with larger conductivity would be a stronger breaker for the colloidal crystal structure.     

Size-specific reactions of copper cluster ions with a methanol molecule

Chemisorption of a methanol molecule onto a size-selected copper cluster ion, Cu(n)+ (n = 2-10), and subsequent reactions were investigated in a gas-beam geometry at a collision energy less than 2 eV in an apparatus based on a tandem-type mass spectrometer. Mass spectra of the product ions show that the following two reactions occur after chemisorption: dominant formation of Cu(n-1)+(H)(OH) (H(OH) formation) in the size range of 4-5 and that of Cu(n)O+ (demethanation) in the size range of 6-8 in addition to only chemisorption in the size range larger than 9. Absolute cross sections for the chemisorption, the H(OH) formation, and the demethanation processes were measured as functions of cluster size and collision energy. Optimized structures of bare copper cluster ions, reaction intermediates, and products were calculated by use of a hybrid method (B3LYP) consisting of the molecular orbital and the density functional methods. The origin of the size-dependent reactivity was explained as the structural change of cluster, two-dimensional to three-dimensional structures.     

A novel method for the terpene synthesis by the ring-opening reaction of β-methyl-β-propiolactone

A new route for the terpene synthesis is investigated, which undergoes via terpene carboxylic acids as key intermediates obtained by the regiospecific ring opening of β-methyl-β-propiolactone with a cuprate or with a Grignard reagent in the presence of a copper catalyst.     

An efficient intersystem crossing mechanism revealed by a large temperature effect on the photochemical reactions of 9-α-Bromopropionylanthracene

A significant temperature effect on the new photochemical reactions of 9-α-bromopropionylanthracene has been noted. In comparison to the temperature effect on the fluorescence intensity of 9-propionylanthracene, it was suggested that the rotation of the carbonyl group on photo-excitation might operate as an enhancing factor in the intersystem crossing process.