An approach to triquinane synthesis using the Pauson-Khand reaction

Tricyclic skeletons have been generated from acyclic enyne precursors by using an intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction in combination with aldol, Michael and alkylation reactions.     

A Language for Teaching Discrete-event Simulation

Courses which teach discrete-event simulation are based on many different simulation languages. The requirements for a language to support teaching simulation are discussed. In particular, it is recommended that such languages separate into distinct modules those aspects of simulation which are taught as separate topics. Implementation of the separation is discussed. The SEESIM language, developed as a teaching aid, is described, and examples of its use are given. Straightforward use of SEESIM can be learned quickly, yet the language provides facilities for a staged introduction to advanced concepts of simulation.     

On Congruence of Complex Matrices

For each of a standard set of normal forms for (n × n) complex matrices under the relation of congruence, explicit matrices are exhibited which transform, via congruence, the normal form to its transpose.     

Reduction of Entrained Hydroxy Species in Ormosil Films for Integrated Optics

Organically modified silicates (ormosils) have been viewed as possible materials for optical signal processing devices for communications networks. One significant problem obstructing their use in this application is the absorption of infrared light by hydroxy species (present for example in silanol groups (SiOH) and water) around the communications wavelengths (1310 and 1550 nm). We have investigated several ormosil compositions, synthesised via an aqueous sol-gel method, to determine if residual hydroxy groups can be removed more effectively via reducing the connectivity of the material by increasing the number of organic groups (such as Si—CH₃). Furthermore, we have investigated the effect of different inert atmospheres on the drying process. It was found that reducing the connectivity does promote the removal of hydroxy absorption, mainly via the condensation of residual silanol groups, but also by removal of residual water, depending on the other precursors in the system. It was also found that the drying atmosphere used (nitrogen or helium) had no effect on the drying process.     

Optimized prefactored compact schemes

The numerical simulation of aeroacoustic phenomena requires high-order accurate numerical schemes with low dispersion and dissipation errors. In this paper we describe a strategy for developing high-order accurate prefactored compact schemes, requiring very small stencil support. These schemes require fewer boundary stencils and offer simpler boundary condition implementation than existing compact schemes. The prefactorization strategy splits the central implicit schemes into forward and backward biased operators. Using Fourier analysis, we show it is possible to select the coefficients of the biased operators such that their dispersion characteristics match those of the original central compact scheme and their numerical wavenumbers have equal and opposite imaginary components. This ensures that when the forward and backward stencils are added, the original central compact scheme is recovered. To extend the resolution characteristic of the schemes, an optimization strategy is employed in which formal order of accuracy is sacrificed in preference to enhanced resolution characteristics across the range of wavenumbers realizable on a given mesh. The resulting optimized schemes yield improved dispersion characteristics compared to the standard sixth- and eighth-order compact schemes making them more suitable for high-resolution numerical simulations in gas dynamics and computational aeroacoustics. The efficiency, accuracy and convergence characteristics of the new optimized prefactored compact schemes are demonstrated by their application to several test problems.     

Ferrocene derivatives XXVIII. The metallation of phenylazoferrocene and the synthesis of phenylazocyclopentadienyl derivatives of other metals

Phenylazoferrocene undergoes nickelation and palladation exclusively on the phenyl group. Lithium phenylazocyclopentadienide has been converted into derivatives of Mo, Mn, Fe, Ru and Rh.     

Quasipotentials for simple noisy maps with complicated dynamics

The theory of nonequilibrium potentials or quasipotentials is a physically motivated approach to small random perturbations of dynamical systems, leading to exponential estimates of invariant probabilities and mean first exit times. In the present article we develop the mathematical foundation of this theory for discrete-time systems, following and extending the work of Freidlin and Wentzell, and Kifer. We discuss strategies for calculating and estimating quasipotentials and show their application to one-dimensionalS-unimodal maps. The method proves to be especially suited for describing the noise scaling behavior of invariant probabilities, e.g., for the map occurring as the limit of the Feigenbaum period-doubling sequence. We show that the method allows statements about the scaling behavior in the case of localized noise, too, which does not originally lie within the scope of the quasipotential formalism.