Modelling a dune field

We present a model to describe the collective motion of barchan dunes in a field. Our model is able to reproduce the observation that a typical dune stays confined within a stripe. We also obtain some of the pattern structures which resemble those observed from aerial photos which we do analyse and compare with the specific field of Laâyounne.     

Water-Soluble Ligands,Metal Complexes,and Catalysts: Synergism of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis

Rapid developments in the field of catalysis are leading to an increased demand for tailor-made catalysts. Water-soluble complex catalysts, which are being intensively investigated at the present time, combine the advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis: simple and complete separation of the product from the catalyst, high activity, and high selectivity. From the large number of available water-soluble ligands, the appropriate catalysts can be developed for many reactions. The industrial applications in the fields of hydrogenation and hydroformylation have already indicated the wide scope of this type of catalyst. In addition, the annual production of 300 000 tons of butyraldehyde through application of water-soluble rhodium complexes at Hoechst AG in Oberhausen, Germany, has demonstrated the industrial importance of the concept of complex-catalyzed reactions in aqueous two-phase systems. The efficient operation of catalytic processes increasingly requires the loss-free recycling of the noble metal catalyst, and this can be simply and economically realized in two-phase systems. Special applications in biochemical problems open up developments in the field of water-soluble transition metal complexes that far transcend the familiar kinds of homogeneous catalysis. In the near future, the investigation and application of metal complex catalysts that are compatible with the physiological, cheap, and environmentally friendly solvent, water, is likely to become a high priority in catalysis research.     

Educational programs in nuclear and radiochemistry at the University of Mainz and in Germany

A survey is given of the educational programs at German universities and research institutions. The program at the University of Mainz is outlined in some detail.     

Temperature resolved X-ray diffraction as a tool of thermal analysis

Time and temperature resolved X-ray diffraction was used for thermal analysis. Series of diffraction patterns were measured, while the samples are heated/cooled stepwise or isothermally with freely selectable temperature programs.The method was applied for the investigation of the phase transitions of ammonium nitrate and HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraaza-cyclooctane), when the identification of phases was required. Its capability in the field of kinetics is demonstrated with the isothermal investigation of the solid state reaction of ammonium nitrate with copper oxide and the non-isothermal investigation of the high temperature corrosion of nickel, which was performed by means of a difference procedure. For obtaining structural details peak fitting and Rietveld refinement were applied for the investigation of ammonium nitrate and HMX.We are indebted to Mr. K. O. Hartmann, Mr. H. Fietzek and Mr. H. G. Farr for their assistance during the measurements and for the maintenance of the measuring systems.     

Polymer-bound osmium oxide catalysts

Polymer-supported oxidic osmium catalysts based on cross-linked poly(4-vinyl pyridine) were synthesized by various routes and characterized by a number of physical techniques (Raman, IR, XPS, ¹³C and ¹⁵N solid-state NMR spectroscopy). Model compounds of type Os₂O₆L₄ (L = pyridine, 4-iso-propyl pyridine, and 4-tert-butyl pyridine) were obtained under the conditions of the catalyst synthesis. The catalytic systems were successful in the dihydroxylation of alkenes.