Montecrinanes A–C: Triterpenes with an Unprecedented Rearranged Tetracyclic Skeleton from Celastrus vulcanicola. Insights into Triterpenoid Biosynthesis Based on DFT Calculations

Three new triterpenoids with an unprecedented 6/6/6/6‐fused tetracyclic carbon skeleton, montecrinanes A–C ( 1 – 3 ), were isolated from the root bark of Celastrus vulcanicola, along with known D:B‐friedobaccharanes ( 4 – 6 ), and lupane‐type triterpenes ( 7 – 12 ). The stereostructures of the new metabolites were elucidated based on spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR) and spectrometric (HR‐EIMS and HR‐ESIMS) techniques. Their absolute configurations were determined by both NMR spectroscopy, with (R)‐(?)‐α‐methoxyphenylacetic acid as a chiral derivatizing agent, and biogenetic considerations. Biogenetic pathways for montecrinane and D:B‐friedobaccharane skeletons were proposed and studied by DFT methods. The theoretical results support the energetic feasibility of the putative biogenetic pathways, in which the 1,2‐methyl shift from the secondary baccharenyl cation represents a novel and key reaction step for a new montecrinane skeleton.     

The Tetracyanopyridinide Dimer Dianion, σ‐[TCNPy]22−

The reaction of 2,3,5,6‐tetracyanopyridine (TCNPy) and Cr(C₆H₆)₂ forms diamagnetic σ‐[TCNPy]₂^2? possessing a 1.572(3) Å intrafragment sp³–sp³ bond. This is in contrast to the structurally related 1,2,4,5‐tetracyanobenzene and 1,2,4,5‐tetracyanopyrazine that form π‐dimer dianions possessing long, multicenter bonds.     

A novel Ni/Na – Containing inorganic-organic hybrid supramolecule based on polyoxometalate and EDTA with ultraviolet-visible light photochromism

A novel Ni/Na – containing inorganic-organic hybrid supramolecule {(PW₁₂O₄₀)·[Na₂(NiH₂EDTA·H₂O)(H₄EDTA)·2H₂O]·2H₂O·H₃O}_n (short for NiEDTA-PW₁₂) has been successfully synthesized by solution method, and investigated by thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), photoluminescence (PL), ultraviolet visible diffuse reflectance spectrum (UV-vis DRS) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). NiEDTA-PW₁₂ exhibits intriguing infinite supramolecular structure with Na⁺ ions as linker. Furthermore, NiEDTA-PW₁₂ displays a fast-responsive reversible photochromism under ultraviolet or visible light. The photochromic property of NiEDTA-PW₁₂ has been investigated by techniques of UV-vis DRS and PL, and the impact of the O₂ on fading of the colored NiEDTA-PW₁₂ has been investigated.     

基于四波混频过程和线性分束器产生四组份纠缠

多组份纠缠是量子信息处理的重要资源,它的产生通常涉及到许多复杂的线性和非线性过程.本文从理论上提出了一种利用两个独立的四波混频过程和线性分束器产生真正的四组份纠缠的方案,其中,线性分束器的作用是将两个独立的四波混频过程联系起来.首先应用部分转置正定判据研究了强度增益对四组份纠缠的影响,结果表明,在整个增益区域内都存在真正的四组份纠缠,并且随着强度增益的增加,纠缠也在增强.然后研究了线性分束器的透射率对四组份纠缠的影响,发现只要线性分束器的透射率不为0或1,该系统也可以产生真正的四组份纠缠.最后,通过研究该系统可能存在的三组份纠缠和两组份纠缠来揭示该系统的纠缠结构.本文理论结果为实验上利用原子系综四波混频过程产生真正的四组份纠缠提供了可靠的方案.     

亲水性两性离子聚合物刷的构象与结构

本文应用分子场理论,研究暴露于水蒸气中的亲水性两性离子聚合物(HP)刷的构象与结构.理论模型考虑HP-水(P-W)氢键和水-水(W-W)氢键效应,以及HP单体之间的偶极-偶极相互作用.研究发现,P-W与W-W氢键决定着HP的水合性,P-W氢键形成,会诱导HP刷溶胀.我们通过考察HP单体间的偶极-偶极相互作用发现,随着偶极-偶极相互作用增强,HP链在垂直培基表面沿着链方向,形成了结节状结构.这是由于HP单体之间的偶极-偶极静电吸引作用导致单体间汇聚结节,这种结节在刷内产生了较强的排斥体积作用,因此,这种HP刷具有抗污性能.在较高的接枝密度环境下,由于HP链间单体之间的偶极-偶极静电吸引作用,会形成链间单体-单体的结节,在刷内形成结节网络状凝胶结构,这种结构的出现,会使得HP刷呈现极强的抗污性.另外,当体系中水蒸气浓度增加、水合相互作用增强时,增加的P-W氢键将平衡HP单体之间的偶极-偶极相互作用,使得结节解开,聚合物链伸展.我们的理论结果符合实验观测,由此表明,P-W氢键效应,以及HP单体之间的偶极-偶极相互作用决定着HP刷的构象转变和结构特性,刷内出现的两性离子聚合物链内单体间的结节和链间单体结节状凝胶结构,是两性离子聚合物刷呈现较强抗污性的本质特性.     

双稳态结构中的1/2次谐波共振及其对隔振特性的影响

以典型的双稳态系统——屈曲梁结构为例,基于等效模型,结合解析、数值和实验手段,研究了双稳态结构中的1/2次谐波共振特性、演化过程、参数调节规律及其对隔振特性的影响.研究发现,当非线性刚度系数或激励幅值增加到一定程度时,系统会在一定带宽下产生显著的1/2次谐波共振;随着激励幅值增加,阻尼系统的1/2次谐波遵循“产生-增强-衰退-消失”的过程,该过程对峰值频率和峰值传递率有重要影响;适当提高非线性强度能有效改善双稳态结构隔振特性.针对双稳态屈曲梁结构开展的实验验证了1/2次谐波特性和隔振特性变化规律.     

非晶态固体的结构可以决定性能吗?

晶态固体的力学性能与塑性变形主要由结构缺陷, 比如位错的运动决定. 而在非晶态固体中结构如何决定性能, 仍然是固体力学、材料学和凝聚态物理学共同关心但尚未解决的核心问题之一.传统材料学研究的经典范式为"结构决定性能". 遵循这一信条, 已经有大量的实验表征与理论、模拟研究, 尝试将非晶态固体的某种结构特征与性能建立一一对应关系. 但是, 科学界对于非晶固体结构-性能关系成立与否, 以及背后隐藏的规律知之甚少. 本文针对非晶态固体的变形机制以及其微结构特征, 基于分子动力学模拟, 定量评估短程简单结构与中长程复杂结构在决定非晶态固体动力学性能方面的效用. 通过海量抽样每种具体玻璃结构的激活能(标识激发难易程度), 尝试将结构参数与激活能建立定量关系, 从而揭示出非晶态固体结构-性能关系的隐藏主控因素为结构的空间关联, 受限比几何结构本身更关键. 只有某种结构在空间上呈现亚纳米级的空间关联长度, 这种完备结构才有可能有效地决定非晶态固体的力学性能, 而短程简单结构则无效. 进一步, 给出了评价非晶态固体结构预测性能有效性的普适定量方法, 为建立广义无序物质的结构-性能关系提供了筛选准则.      

On the inflation and deflation dynamics of liquid-filled,hyperelastic balloons

We derive a reduced-order model describing the inflation and deflation dynamics of a liquid-filled hyperelastic balloon, focusing on inviscid laminar flow and the extensional motion of the balloon. We initially study the flow and pressure fields for dictated motion of the solid, which throughout deflation are obtained by solving the potential problem. However, during inflation, flow separation creates a jet within the balloon, requiring a different approach. The analyses of both flow regimes lead to a simple piecewise model, describing the fluidic pressure during inflation and deflation, which is verified by finite element computations. We then use a variational approach to derive the equation describing the interaction between the extensional mode of the balloon and the entrapped fluid, yielding a nonlinear hybrid oscillator equation. Analytical and graphical investigations of the suggested model are presented, shedding light on its static and dynamic behaviour under different operating conditions. Our simplified model and its underlying assumptions are verified utilizing a fully coupled finite element scheme, showing excellent agreement.     

Calcium-based coordination polymers from a solvothermal synthesis of HKUST-1 in 3D printed autoclaves

A mixed-metal 1D coordination polymer [CaCu(HBTC)₂(H2O)₈]_n (where H₃BTC – benzene-1,3,5-tric arboxylic acid) was obtained in a solvothermal synthesis of a well-known copper-containing metal–organic framework [Cu₃(BTC)₂(H₂O)₃]_n (HKUST-1) in autoclaves 3D-printed from commercial polypropylene. This material was a source of calcium ions, apparently, leaking from a colorant (calcium carbonate) promoted by glacial acetic acid as a modulator used to produce large single crystals of HKUST-1. This finding was confirmed by elemental analysis and a model experiment that resulted in a new calcium-based 1D coordination polymer [Ca(H₂BTC)₂(H₂O)₅]_n under the same solvothermal conditions with no copper or calcium salts put into a 3D-printed autoclave.