High-energy gamma-rays accompanying the spontaneous fission of 252Cf

The γ-ray spectrum of ²⁵²Cf(sf) was measured in the Darmstadt-Heidelberg Crystal Ball spectrometer, with a double ionization chamber mounted inside to detect the fission fragments. The measurement was aimed at a better understanding of an unusual component found in the high-energy region between 3 and 8 MeV, with fragment mass splits near symmetry. This component was proved to be predominantly emitted by the heavier fragment, to reach its highest intensity at a fragment mass split of 132:120, and to have an almost isotropic angular distribution. Calculations with the statistical code CASCADE could reproduce the main features.     

Supercritical fluid extraction for liquid chromatographic determination of carotenoids in Spirulina Pacifica algae: a chemometric approach

An experimental design procedure was used to investigate the effects of some operating parameters on the supercritical fluid extraction of carotenoids beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin from Spirulina Pacifica algae, a carotenoid-rich dietary product. Variables tested were temperature and pressure of the supercritical fluid, dynamic extraction time and percentage of ethanol added as the modifier. Each variable was tested at three levels; 31 experiments were performed in random order. Analyses of the extracts were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-Vis photodiode array detection. Analytical responses (chromatographic peak areas) were processed by using a stepwise multiple regression analysis, in order to find polynomial functions describing the relationships between variables and responses. For all the analytes the experimental conditions providing the highest extraction yield inside the experimental domain considered were found. Supercritical fluid extraction results obtained in these conditions were compared with those obtained by performing solvent extraction in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the supercritical fluid extraction procedure.     

Square, hexagonal, and row phases of PTCDA and PTCDI on Ag-Si(111)square root(3) x square root(3)R30 degrees

We have investigated the ordered phases of the perylene derivatives perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic-3,4,9,10-dianhydride (PTCDA) and the imide analogue PTCDI on the Ag-Si(111)square root(3) x square root(3)R30 degrees surface using scanning tunneling microscopy. We find that PTCDA forms square, hexagonal, and herringbone phases, which coexist on the surface. The existence of a square phase on a hexagonal surface is of particular interest and is a result of a near commensurability between the molecular dimensions and the surface lattice. Contrast variations across the square islands arise from PTCDA molecules binding to different sites on the surface. PTCDI on Ag-Si(111)square root(3) x square root(3)R30 degrees forms extended rows, as well as two-dimensional islands, both of which are stabilized by hydrogen bonding mediated by the presence of imide groups. We present models for the molecular arrangements in all these phases and highlight the role of hydrogen bonding in controlling this order.     

Convenient One‐Pot Procedures for the Synthesis of 2,2′:6′,2″‐Terpyridine

One‐pot reactions to produce 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine (tpy) under mild conditions are described under both solventless and solvent‐assisted conditions. Tpy can be obtained in 32% yield in a simple one‐pot reaction, which can readily be scaled‐up to give large quantities of tpy. These new approaches are superior to those previously described because of the fast and efficient synthesis and purification of tpy.     

Lines tangent to

We show that for there are complex common tangent lines to general spheres in and that there is a choice of spheres with all common tangents real.

     

Photoelectron diffraction study of a catalytically active overlayer: C2H2 on Pd{111}

A quantitative structure determination of a newly discovered (2×2) adsorption phase of acetylene chemisorbed on Pd{111} has been performed by scanned-energy mode photoelectron diffraction: this phase corresponds to the threshold coverage for the catalytic conversion of acetylene to benzene. The carbon atoms in the C₂H₂ molecule are located almost over bridge sites with a C–C bond length of 1.34+0.10 Å, the centre of the molecule being positioned almost over a hollow site. Of the two hollow sites the hcp site (directly above a second layer Pd atom) is favoured, particularly by a subset of the data most sensitive to this aspect of the structure, but the full analysis indicates that the fcc site (above a third layer Pd atom) cannot formally be excluded. The adsorption site adopted by acetylene in the higher coverage phase on Pd{111} is essentially identical. This is the dominant structure in the coverage regime which is catalytically active for the conversion of acetylene to benzene. The implications of these findings for acetylene coupling reactions over Pd{111} are discussed.     

Elastic scattering of 40Ar on 40Ca at Elab = 191, 236 and 272 MeV

Cross sections for elastic scattering of ⁴⁰Ar on ⁴⁰Ca have been measured at energies E_lab = 191, 236 and 272 MeV employing position-sensitive detectors and the method of kinematical coincidences. The experimental data are first compared with the ordinary and the generalized Fresnel models. Only the generalized Fresnel model describes the experimental data well. An optical model analysis with a Woods-Saxon potential yields an energy independent set of parameters (V_R = ?21.76 MeV, r_OR = 1.37 fm, a_R = 0.45 fm; W₁ = ?13.69 MeV, r₀₁ = 1.40 fm, a₁ = 0.36 fm) very similar to the one found in ⁴⁰Ca-⁴⁰Ca scattering at corresponding energies. Values deduced for the total reaction cross sections for the three energies are in good agreement with those predicted by the generalized Fresnel model. The data are also compared with optical model calculations with the real part of the potential replaced by various microscopically determined potentials. The proximity, Fleckner-Mosel and the Krappe-Nix-Sierk potentials like the phenomenological optical model potential reproduce the measured data fairly well over several orders of magnitude.     

Chimie organométallique du niobium VIII. Etude détaillée de la réaction d'acétyléniques perfluorés avec (η5C5H5)2NbH3: Mise en evídence de la coupure de liaison C-F,de la formation de liaison Nb-F et de la reduction du niobium. Structure cristalline d'un dérivé niobiacyclopentadiène

Hexafluorobutyne (CF₃CCCF₃ = Hfb) reacts with Cp₂NbH₃ (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) affording five new complexes I–V, whose structures have been studied by mass,

Ir, ESR and NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray study of II shows the presence of a planar NbC₄ ring Nb—C(1): 2.25(5); C(1)—C(2): 1.31(7); C(2)—C(3): 1.53(8); C(3)—(4): 1.34(7); C(4)—Nb: 2.23(5) Å. With trifluoropropyne (CF₃CCH = tfp), only the analog of III, i.e. Cp₂NbFf(tfpH), has been isolated.     

A gamma-ray detector for capillary zone electrophoresis and its use in the analysis of some radiopharmaceuticals

The construction and evaluation of a gamma-ray detector for capillary zone electrophoresis is described. The detector was shown to have a linear response from the limit of detection 10 to 500 Bqcm-3 corresponding to 5.1 x 10(-17) to 2.55 x 10(-15) gcm-3 43Tc99m. The application of the detector for the analysis of some radiopharmaceuticals is presented.