Study of the reactione + e −→K + K − in the energy range1350 \leqq \sqrt s \leqq 2400 MeV

Thee ⁺ e ^?→K ⁺ K ^? cross section has been measured from about 750 events in the energy interval \(1350 \leqq \sqrt s \leqq 2400 MeV\) with the DM2 detector at DCI. TheK ^± form factor |F _F ^±| cannot be explained by the ρ, ω, ? and ρ′(1600). An additional resonant amplitude at 1650 MeV has to be added as suggested by a previous experiment.     

Acidic aqueous decomposition of thiocyanogen

The aqueous reaction of acidic Cl2 with excess SCN- rapidly generates a UV-absorbing intermediate identified as an equilibrium mixture of thiocyanogen, (SCN)2, and trithiocyanate, (SCN)3(-). The decomposition of this mixture can be described as 3(SCN)2 + 4H2O --> 5HSCN + H2SO4 + HCN. Under our conditions the decomposition is sufficiently slow that its kinetics can be studied using standard stopped-flow methodology. Over the pH range 0-2 the decomposition rate law is -d[(SCN)2]/dt = (3/2)[k(disp)K(hyd)2[(SCN)2]2/([SCN-]2[H+]2 + K(SCN)3-[SCN-]3[H+]2 + K(hyd)[SCN-][H+])] with K(SCN)3(-) = 0.43 +/- 0.29 M(-1), K(hyd) = (5.66 +/- 0.77) x 10(-4) M2, and k(disp) = (6.86 +/- 0.95) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at 25 degrees C and micro = 1 M. The K(SCN)3(-) and K(hyd) terms are significant enhancements relative to one of the rate laws conventionally cited. In the proposed mechanism, K(SCN)3(-) refers to the formation of (SCN)3(-) by association of SCN- with (SCN)2, K(hyd) refers to the hydrolysis of (SCN)2 to form HOSCN, and k(disp) is the rate constant for the bimolecular irreversible disproportionation of HOSCN, which leads ultimately to SO4(2-) and HCN. Ab initio calculations support the values of K(SCN)3(-) and K(hyd) reported herein. The high value for k(disp) indicates that HOSCN is a short-lived transient, while the magnitude of K(hyd) provides information on its thermodynamic stability. These results bear on the physiological role of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of SCN- such as salivary peroxidase and myeloperoxidase.     

Reduction of octacyanomolybdate(V) by thioglycolic acid in aqueous media

In aqueous media at 25 degrees C [Mo(CN)(8)](3-) is reduced by thioglycolic acid (HSCH(2)COOH, TGA), and the reaction is strongly accelerated by the presence of trace amounts of copper ions. Dipicolinic acid (dipic) is an effective inhibitor of the copper catalysis. Both with and without dipic the reaction has the stoichiometry 2[Mo(CN)(8)](3-) + 2TGA --> 2[Mo(CN)(8)](4-) + RSSR, where RSSR is the disulfide derived from formal oxidative dimerization of TGA. In the presence of dipic, PBN (N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenyl-nitrone), and with a large excess of TGA the rate law for consumption of [Mo(CN)(8)](3-) is first order in both [TGA] and [Mo(CN)(8)(3-)]. The complex pH dependence is consistent with (-)SCH(2)CO(2)(-) being highly reactive (k = 1.8 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1)), the monoanion being less reactive, and HSCH(2)CO(2)H being unreactive. A mechanism is proposed in which the dianion undergoes electron transfer to [Mo(CN)(8)](3-), thus generating the thiyl radical. Analysis of the electron-transfer rate constant in terms of Marcus theory yields an effective self-exchange rate constant for the thiolate/thiyl redox couple that is in reasonable agreement with the value derived previously from the reaction of TGA with [IrCl(6)](2-). When copper catalysis is inhibited, the two reactions differ substantially in that the yield of (-)O(3)SCH(2)CO(2)(-) is significant for [IrCl(6)](2-) but undetectable for [Mo(CN)(8)](3-).     

Catalytic and direct oxidation of cysteine by octacyanomolybdate(V)

The oxidation of cysteine by [Mo(CN)(8)](3-) in deoxygenated aqueous solution at a moderate pH is strongly catalyzed by Cu(2+), to the degree that impurity levels of Cu(2+) are sufficient to dominate the reaction. Dipicolinic acid (dipic) is a very effective inhibitor of this catalysis, such that with 1 mM dipic, the direct oxidation can be studied. UV-vis spectra and electrochemistry show that [Mo(CN)(8)](4-) is the Mo-containing product. Cystine and cysteinesulfinate are the predominant cysteine oxidation products. The stoichiometric ratio (Deltan(Mo(V))/Deltan(cysteine)) of 1.4 at pH 10.8 is consistent with this product distribution. At pH 1.5, the reaction is quite slow and yields intractable kinetics. At pH 4.5, the rates are much faster and deviate only slightly from pseudo-first-order behavior. With 2 mM PBN (N-phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone) present at pH 4.5, the reaction rate is about 20% less and shows excellent pseudo-first-order behavior, but the stoichiometric ratio is not significantly changed. The rates also display a significant specific cation effect. In the presence of spin-trap PBN, the kinetics were studied over the pH range 3.48-12.28, with [Na(+)] maintained at 0.09-0.10 M. The rate law is -d[Mo(V)]/dt = k[cysteine](tot)[Mo(V)], with k = {2(k(b)K(a1)K(a2)[H(+)] + k(c)K(a1)K(a2)K(a3))}/([H(+)](3) + K(a1)[H(+)](2) + K(a1)K(a2)[H(+)] + K(a1)K(a2)K(a3)), where K(a1), K(a2), and K(a3) are the successive acid dissociation constants of HSCH(2)CH(NH(3)(+))CO(2)H. Least-squares fitting yields k(b) = (7.1 +/- 0.4) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) and k(c) = (2.3 +/-0.2) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at mu = 0.1 M (NaCF(3)SO(3)) and 25 degrees C. A mechanism is inferred in which k(b) and k(c) correspond to electron transfer to Mo(V) from the thiolate forms of anionic and dianionic cysteine.     

Thermal and photochemical reduction of aqueous chlorine by ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes

Studies are reported on the reactions of aqueous chlorine with a series of substitution-inert, one-electron metal-complex reductants, which includes [Ru(bpy)3]2+, [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)3]2+, [Ru(4,7-Me2phen)3]2+, [Ru(terpy)2]2+, and [Fe(3,4,7,8-Me4phen)3]2+. The reactions were studied by spectrophotometry at 25 degrees C in acidic chloride media at mu = 0.3 M. In general the reactions have the stoichiometry 2[ML3]2+ + Cl2-->2[ML3]3+ + 2Cl-. In the case of [Ru(bpy)3]2+, the reaction is quite photosensitive; the thermal reaction is so slow as to be practically immeasurable. The reactions of [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)3]2+ and [Ru(4,7-Me2phen)3]2+ are also highly photosensitive, giving pseudo-first-order rate constants that depend on the monochromator slit width in a stopped-flow instrument; however, the thermal rates are fast enough that they can be obtained by extrapolation of kobs to zero slit width. The reactions of [Ru(terpy)2]2+ and [Fe(3,4,7,8-Me4phen)3]2+ show no appreciable photosensitivity, allowing direct determination of their thermal rate laws. From the kinetic effects of pH, [Cl2]tot, and [Cl-] it is evident that all of the thermal rate laws have a first-order dependence on [ML3]2+ and on [Cl2]. The second-order rate constants decrease as Eo for the complex increases, consistent with the predictions of Marcus theory for an outer-sphere electron-transfer mechanism. Quantum yields at 460 nm for the reactions of [Ru(4,4'-Me2bpy)3]2+ and [Ru(4,7-Me2phen)3]2+ exceed 0.1 and show a dependence on [Cl2] indicative of competition among spontaneous decay of *Ru, nonreactive quenching by Cl2, and reactive quenching by Cl2.     

Radiative decay ofJ/ψ into γ π+ π−

The radiative decayJ/ψ → γ π⁺ π^? has been studied using the 8.6 millionJ/ψ produced in the DM2 experiment at the DCIe ⁺e^? storage rings at Orsay. The π⁺ π^? mass spectrum shows a cleanf ₂ (1270) signal, and the possible presence of two other states at thef ₂ (1720) andf ₄ (2030) masses. For thef ₂ (1270), the branching ratio BR(J/ψ →γf)xBR(f→π⁺ π^?) is measured to be (7.50±0.30±1.12)×10^?4, and the spin analysis prefers theJ=2 assignment, with helicity parametersx=0.83±0.06 andy=0.01±0.06. The existence of higher mass states is discussed.     

Non-planar smoulder propagation governed by diffusion

The steady propagation of a thin smouldering front in a half-spacehas been considered. A suitable coordinate transformation hasallowed the region near the leading edge of the front to beexamined for both a maintained planar surface and with surfacecollapse due to material shrinkage. The change in the oxidizerconcentration for a small increment in the propagation speedfor large time and surface collapse has been determined. Theinfluence of two types of nonlinear diffusion on the shape ofthe smouldering front has been found; other cases can be dealtwith in a similar manner.     

Oxidation of [Ru(NH3)5isn](BF4)2 by hyochlorous acid and chlorine in aqueous acidic media

UV-vis stopped-flow studies of the reaction of [Ru(NH3)5isn](2+) (isn = isonicotinamide) with excess HOCl at 25 degrees C demonstrate that it proceeds in two time-resolved steps. In the first step [Ru(NH3)5isn](3+) is produced with the rate law -d[Ru(II)]/dt = 2(aK(h)[H(+)] + b[H(+)][Cl(-)] + c[Cl(-)])[HOCl](tot)[Ru(II)]/(K(h) + [H(+)][Cl(-)]). Here, K(h) is 1.3 x 10(-3) M(2) and corresponds to the equilibrium hydrolysis of Cl2, a is (8.34 +/- 0.19) x 10(3) M(-2) s(-1) and represents the acid-assisted reduction of HOCl, b is (4.04 +/- 0.13) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) and represents the reduction of Cl2, and c is (6.25 +/- 0.59) x 10(2) s(-1) and represents the Cl(-)-assisted reduction of HOCl. In the second step [Ru(NH3)5isn](3+) undergoes further oxidation to a mixture of products with the rate law -d[Ru(III)]/dt = e[Ru(III)][HOCl]/[H(+)] where e is (1.18 +/- 0.01) x 10(-2) s(-1). This step is assigned a mechanism with Cl(+) transfer from HOCl to [Ru(III)(NH3)4(NH2)isn](2+) occurring in the rate-limiting step. These results underline the resistance of HOCl to act as a simple outer-sphere one-electron oxidant.     

Direct oxidation of L-cysteine by [FeIII(bpy)2(CN)2]+ and [FeIII(bpy)(CN)4]-

The oxidation of L-cysteine by the outer-sphere oxidants [Fe(bpy)2(CN)2]+ and [Fe(bpy)(CN)4]- in anaerobic aqueous solution is highly susceptible to catalysis by trace amounts of copper ions. This copper catalysis is effectively inhibited with the addition of 1.0 mM dipicolinic acid for the reduction of [Fe(bpy)2(CN)2]+ and is completely suppressed with the addition of 5.0 mM EDTA (pH<9.00), 10.0 mM EDTA (9.010.0) for the reduction of [Fe(bpy)(CN)4]-. 1H NMR and UV-vis spectra show that the products of the direct (uncatalyzed) reactions are the corresponding Fe(II) complexes and, when no radical scavengers are present, L-cystine, both being formed quantitatively. The two reactions display mild kinetic inhibition by Fe(II), and the inhibition can be suppressed by the free radical scavenger PBN (N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone). At 25 degrees C and micro=0.1 M and under conditions where inhibition by Fe(II) is insignificant, the general rate law is -d[Fe(III)]/dt=k[cysteine]tot[Fe(III)], with k={k2Ka1[H+]2+k3Ka1Ka2[H+]+k4Ka1Ka2Ka3{/}[H+]3+Ka1[H+]2+Ka1Ka2[H+]+Ka1Ka2Ka3}, where Ka1, Ka2, and Ka3 are the successive acid dissociation constants of HSCH2CH(NH3+)CO2H. For [Fe(bpy)2(CN)2]+, the kinetics over the pH range of 3-7.9 yields k2=3.4+/-0.6 M(-1) s(-1) and k3=(1.18+/-0.02)x10(6) M(-1) s(-1) (k4 is insignificant in the fitting). For [Fe(bpy)(CN)4]- over the pH range of 6.1-11.9, the rate constants are k3=(2.13+/-0.08)x10(3) M(-1) s(-1) and k4=(1.01+/-0.06)x10(4) M(-1) s(-1) (k2 is insignificant in the fitting). All three terms in the rate law are assigned to rate-limiting electron-transfer reactions in which various thiolate forms of cysteine are reactive. Applying Marcus theory, the self-exchange rate constant of the *SCH2CH(NH2)CO2-/-SCH2CH(NH2)CO2- redox couple was obtained from the oxidation of L-cysteine by [Fe(bpy)(CN)4]-, with k11=4x10(5) M(-1) s(-1). The self-exchange rate constant of the *SCH2CH(NH3+)CO2-/-SCH2CH(NH3+)CO2- redox couple was similarly obtained from the rates with both Fe(III) oxidants, a value of 6x10(6) M(-1) s(-1) for k11 being derived. Both self-exchange rate constants are quite large as is to be expected from the minimal rearrangement that follows conversion of a thiolate to a thiyl radical, and the somewhat lower self-exchange rate constant for the dianionic form of cysteine is ascribed to electrostatic repulsion.