In Silico Design of Heteroaromatic Half‐Sandwich RhI Catalysts for Acetylene [2+2+2] Cyclotrimerization: Evidence of a Reverse Indenyl Effect

A mechanistic density functional theory study of acetylene [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization to benzene catalyzed by Rh^I half metallocenes is presented. The catalyst fragment contains a heteroaromatic ligand, that is, the 1,2‐azaborolyl (Ab) or the 3a,7a‐azaborindenyl (Abi) anions, which are isostructural and isoelectronic to the hydrocarbon cyclopentadienyl (Cp) and indenyl (Ind) anions, respectively, but differ from the last ones on having two adjacent carbon atoms replaced with a boron and a nitrogen atom. The better performance of either the classic hydrocarbon or the heteroaromatic catalysts is found to depend on the different mechanistic paths that can be envisioned for the process. The present analyses uncover and explain general structure–reactivity relationships that may serve as rational design principles. In particular, we provide evidence of a reverse indenyl effect.     

Synthesis,thermal, and photocrosslinking studies of thermotropic liquid crystalline poly(benzylidene‐ether)esters containing α,β‐unsaturated ketone moiety in the main chain

A series of poly(benzylidene‐ether)esters containing a photoreactive benzylidene chromophore in the main chain were synthesized from 2,6‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone (BHMBCH) with various aliphatic and aromatic diacid chlorides by an interfacial polycondensation technique. The intrinsic viscosity of the synthesized homo and copolymers determined by Ubbelohde viscometer was found to be 0.12 to 0.17 dL/g. The molecular structure of the monomer and polymers was confirmed by FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectral analyses. These polymers were studied for their thermal stability and photochemical properties. Thermal properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the polymers were stable up to 280 °C and start degrading thereafter. Increase in acid methylene spacer length decreased the thermal stability. The self‐extinguishing property of the synthesized polymers was studied by calculating the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value using a Van Krevelen's equation. The influence of the length of methylene spacer on phase transition was investigated using DSC and odd‐even effect has been observed. Hot‐stage optical polarizing microscopic (HOPM) study showed that most of the polymers exhibited birefringence and opalescence properties. The photolysis of liquid crystalline poly(benzylidene‐ether)esters revealed that α,β‐unsaturated ketone moiety in the main chain dimerises through 2π + 2π cycloaddition reaction to form a cyclobutane derivative and leads to crosslinking. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

THERMAL NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS—AN IMPORTANT ANALYTICAL TOOL

ABSTRACT

This review is intended to present an introduction to the use of thermal neutron activation analysis (TNAA) as an analytical technique for the determination of elements in almost all kinds of matrices. This method of analysis is generally multi-element and experimental conditions can be designed to be nondestructive to the sample. This review will focus on thermal neutron activation as this technique allows determination of approximately two-thirds of the elements on the periodic chart. There are also more and wider spread facilities in the United States that offer these services. The available facilities are located across the United States and are generally accessible to everyone. The review will also detail the advantages and disadvantages of TNAA compared to other common spectroscopic methods. An outline of the general procedure for performing the analysis of the elements using activation analysis is presented to emphasize the ease of using this technique. The outline is divided into sections that give the general procedure, how to choose the correct nuclear reaction and reaction product, and the main sources of errors that can affect the results of the study. These sources of error are subdivided into general types of errors. The general types of errors are divided into those related to pre-chemistry, problems associated with the irradiation of the samples, errors associated with the use of nuclear constants (cross sections, half-lives, transition probabilities, etc.), the choice of the correct reaction and reaction product, and those associated with the counting of the irradiated samples. The general theory of activation analysis is presented and summarizes the derivation of the equations used and the development of the comparator method of analysis. The comparator method is used to simplify the method by irradiating samples along with standards. This reduces the need for using the nuclear constants and thus reducing errors. The use of radiochemical separations to isolate analytes of choice from the radioactive matrix is also described. Some current literature is also included to give a feel for current applications of the use of thermal neutron activation analyses. The summary also describes some of the different matrices that have been used for analyses.     

Dynamic Rebound Behavior of Silica/Natural Rubber Composites: Fly Ash Particles and Precipitated Silica

This article investigated the elastic response of natural rubber (NR) compounds filled with silica from fly ash particles (FASi) and commercial precipitated silica (PSi), through a dynamic rebound test. The effects of silica content and initial drop‐height on the height and number of rebounds, dynamic stiffness, and the energy loss were of interest. The results suggested that the unfilled NR vulcanizates exhibited a greater elastic response than the FASi and PSi‐filled vulcanized composites. For given silica contents, the NR compounds with FASi had better elastic response than those with PSi, where the elastic response decreased with an increase in silica content. The greater the silica contents, the higher the dynamic stiffness of the composites. The initial drop‐height had no effects on the elastic response change for the unfilled NR compound, but resulted in an increase in the energy loss for the silica‐filled NR composites. The differences in the elastic responses for the NR compounds filled with silica from FASi and PSi were associated with the differences in crosslink density and the filler–filler interaction influenced by content of bis(3‐triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfane (designated as Si69) used.     

The identification of the vibration control system parameters designed for continuous miner machines

The Continuous Miner machines are exposed to time dependent loads during normal operation of the rock cutting process. These loads cause vibrations, which have a negative influence on the whole structure of the machine. This phenomenon can be eliminated by applying passive or active vibration control systems (VCS). Generally these systems are coupled with additional elements, which provide dispersion or transfer energy. The energy thus acquired can also reinforce the intended function such as rock cutting operation in the case of mining machines. The objective of this paper is to present the method of numerical identification of VCS parameters for Continuous Miner machines. The main function of the presented system is to reduce displacement of cutting drum by using elastic element joined to machine chassis and applying appropriate algorithm of control of the angular velocity of cutting drum. The method described improves efficiency of mining and increases durability of machine. In order to determine mechanical and control parameters of VCS the genetic algorithm optimisation method conjugated with numerical modal analysis was used. Finally the transient dynamic analysis was performed for the full-scale model of Continuous Miner in order to verify VCS in normal working condition.     

Unified,Efficient, and Scalable Synthesis of Halichondrins: Zirconium/Nickel‐Mediated One‐Pot Ketone Synthesis as the Final Coupling Reaction

Unified, efficient, and scalable syntheses of the halichondrin natural products are reported. A newly developed Zr/Ni‐mediated one‐pot ketone synthesis was used to couple the two halves of the final product at a late stage in the synthesis. With the use of a slight excess of the left halves, the desired ketones were isolated in yields of 80–90 %. The halichondrins were obtained from these ketones in two steps, namely desilylation and [5,5]‐spiroketal formation. The new synthetic route was effective for the total synthesis of all members in the homohalichondrin subgroup. The scalability of this process was demonstrated with halichondrin B; 150 mg of halichondrin B (68 % overall yield) were obtained from 200 mg of the right‐half precursor.     

Rapid determination of ginkgolic acids in Ginkgo biloba kernels and leaves by direct analysis in real time‐mass spectrometry

A novel method based on direct analysis in real time integrated with mass spectrometry was established and applied into rapid determination of ginkgolic acids in Ginkgo biloba kernels and leaves. Instrument parameter settings were optimized to obtain the sensitive and accurate determination of ginkgolic acids. At the sample introduction speed of 0.2 mm/s, high intensity of [M–H]^– ions for ginkgolic acids were observed in the negative ion mode by utilization of high‐purity helium gas at 450°C. Two microliters of methanol extract of G. biloba kernels or leaves dropped on the surface of Quick‐Strip module was analyzed after solvent evaporated to dryness. A series of standard solutions of ginkgolic acid 13:0 in the range of 2–50 mg/L were analyzed with a correlation coefficient r  = 0.9981 and relative standard deviation (n  = 5) from 12.5 to 13.7%. The limit of detection was 0.5 mg/L. The results of direct analysis in real time‐mass spectrometry were in agreement with those observed by thermochemolysis gas chromatography. The proposed method demonstrated significant potential in the application of the high‐throughput screening and rapid analysis for ginkgolic acids in dietary supplements.     

Identification of four cornua by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry coupled with principal component analysis

An ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method coupled with principal component analysis was developed and applied to the identification of Cornu Antelopis, Cornu Bubali, Cornu Naemorhedi, and Cornu Bovis. The data obtained from the trypsin‐digested samples were subjected to principal component analysis to classify these four cornua. Additionally, marker peptides of the cornua were determined by orthogonal partial least‐squares discriminant analysis, and fragmentation tandem mass spectra of these marker peptides were evaluated. The results from this study indicate that the proposed method is reliable, and it has been successfully applied to the identification of variants of cornua commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine.     

Zur Anreicherung der stabilen Isotope des Schwefels durch Fest-Flüissig-Austausch unter Verwendung von Ionenaustauschern

An verschiedenen Systemen chemischer Verbindungen wurden Versuche zur Anreicherung des stabilen Isotopes ³⁴S unter Verwendung der Ionenaustauscher Wofatit L 150, SBW und SBK nach den Methoden der Frontalchromatographie und der Bandenverdrāngungschromatographie ausgeführt. Beim Isotopenaustauschsystem Hydrogensulfit (am Ionenaustauscher)/Schwefeldioxid (in wäβriger Lösung) wurden Verfahrensweise und Betriebsparameter hinsichtlich des Anreicherungsgrades optimiert. Mit Hilfe einer einfachen Methode gelang es, aus den Versuchsergebnissen Werle für den elementaren Trennfaktor und die Trennstufenhöhe zu berechnen.     

Density effects of heavy-ion stopping power in high temperature matter

Abstract

The stopping power and range for Xe ions in high temperature matter (partially ionized plasmas) have been calculated using the dielectric response function method. Calculations have been made for a target matter Al (Z = 13) over a wide range of temperatures and densities considering a finite temperature model. The stopping powers obtained have smaller values in comparison with those of a zero temperature model. The stopping power strongly depends on the density and temperature of the target material, and the projectile ion energy.