On the retrograde condensation of one or two liquids

This contribution discusses the phenomena of retrograde condensation of one or two liquids. It w1 be shown that both phenomena can be well understood. Also the relation of retrograde condensation of one liquid phase with the condensation behavior of natural gas will be discussed. Similarly that of two liquid phases with multiple phase behavior occurring in low temperature reservoir fluids will be pointed out.     

Infrared absorption spectrum of a small-polaron system

Characteristic features and the temperature dependence of the small-polaron absorption spectrum are discussed using a recently published model. The physical interpretation of formal results is introduced, in particular a connection of small-polaron states with oscillator coherent states is emphasized. The continuous change of absorption curves with temperature is illustrated by numerical calculations.     

Pattern formation in diffusion-limited reactions

The conditions for macroscopic segregation ofA andB in a steady-stateA+B 0 reaction are studied in infinite systems. Segregation occurs in one and two dimensions and is marginal ford=3. We note the dependence of these results on the precise experimental conditions assumed in the theory. We also note the difference between these results and our earlier ones for finite systems where the critical dimension isd=2.     

Analogy between the Lorenz strange attractor and a bistable stochastic oscillator

The relation between the aperiodic solution of the Lorenz model and that of a stochastic anharmonic oscillator is explored. The stochastic oscillator is constructed by replacing (t) in the Lorenz model by a stochastic variable(t) of specified statistics. The resulting system is of course not isomorphic to the Lorenz model, but does share with it a number of statistical properties. Thus, within the confines of these measures the two systems are physically very similar.     

Statistical replacement for systems with delta-correlated fluctuations

Nonlinear systems with stochastic parameters are approximated by simpler systems using a method that we call statistical replacement. This method is an extension of the previously developed AGREE which was restricted to systems with additive fluctuations. Statistical replacement incorporates the distinctions between globally stable thermodynamically closed systems and thermodynamically open systems that can be unstable.     

HPLC isolation and NMR structure elucidation of the most prominent octabromo isomer in technical octabromo diphenyl ether

The major octabromo isomer of technical octabromo diphenyl ether mixture (technical octaBDE) DE-79 was isolated by RP-HPLC. Three serially coupled columns (each 250 mm long) enabled a good separation of the target compound from other congeners using 100% ACN as eluent. Approximately 100 microg of the target compound was isolated with a purity of >90% and investigated by MS for confirmation of the degree of bromination. 1H-NMR and 2-D 1H-13C correlation NMR spectra unequivocally clarified that the octaBDE in question is 2,2',3,3',4,4',6,6'-octabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 197). Based on annual production rates of technical BDE products (1999/2001), approximately 380 tons of BDE 197 were annually produced which, on the long term, may enter the environment. Compared with other individual BDE congeners, BDE 197 has the seventh highest application rate. Reductive debromination of BDE 197 can lead to four hepta-, 15 hexa-, 23 penta-, and 28 tetra-BDE isomers, respectively. This variety includes all known major BDEs of environmental concern (BDE 47, 85, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183). The identification of BDE 197 in technical octaBDE DE-79 strongly suggests that research on the environmental fate of BDEs should include this key-BDE congener.     

Biosynthesis of cis-Jasmone: a pathway for the inactivation and the disposal of the plant stress hormone jasmonic acid to the gas phase?

Flowers of Jasminum rincospernum convert deuterium-labeled jasmonic acid [²H₅]- 4a and methyl 1,2-didehy-drojasmonate [²H₄]- 8 into labeled cis-jasmone [²H₄]- 1. The labeling pattern of the resulting cis-jasmone ( 1 ) is consistent with a Grob fragmentation of the didehydrojasmonic acid 8a by decarboxylation after protonation of the keto group. The pathway is also operative in leaves of several higher plants, including mono- and dicotyledonous specimens. In Lima beans besides cis-jasmone ( 1 ) an equimolar mixture of trans- and cis-isomers of methyl jasmonate ( 4 ) and epi- 4 , is emitted after treatment with Jasmonic acid ( 4a ). The relative ratio of 1 and 4 /epi- 4 is critically dependent on the concentration of the administered jasmonic acid ( 4a ) and the ambient temperature of the plant. Unlike 4a , the 1,2-didehydrojasmonic acid ( 8a ) is not able to induce volatile biosynthesis. Therefore, the transformation of 4a via 8 a into 1 appears to have a special importance for the irreversible inactivation and disposal of the plant stress hormone jasmonic acid to the gas phase and may serve, besides other modes of inactivation, as a shunt in case of high internal of the stress hormone 4a. The conversion of the biologically active jasmonic acid ( 4a ) into the inactive and volatile cis-jasmone (1) is the first example of a disposal of an inactive metabolite of a phytohormone to the gas phase as an infinite sink.