The Effects of Ring Strain on Cyclic Tetraaryl[5]cumulenes

Cyclic tetraaryl[5]cumulenes ( 1 a–f ) have been synthesized and studied as a function of increasing ring strain. The magnitude of ring strain is approximated by the extent of bending of the cumulenic core as assessed by a combination of X-ray crystallographic analysis and DFT calculations. Trends are observed in ¹³C NMR, UV-vis, and Raman spectra associated with ring strain, but the effects are small. In particular, the experimental HOMO-LUMO gap is not appreciably affected by bending of the [5]cumulene framework from ca. 174° (λ_max=504 nm) in 1 a to ca. 178° (λ_max=494 nm) in 1 f .     

Parallel distributed block coordinate descent methods based on pairwise comparison oracle

The aim of this paper is to find the global solutions of uncertain optimization problems having a quadratic objective function and quadratic inequality constraints. The bounded epistemic uncertainties in the constraint coefficients are represented using either universal or existential quantified parameters and interval parameter domains. This approach allows to model non-controlled uncertainties by using universally quantified parameters and controlled uncertainties by using existentially quantified ones. While existentially quantified parameters could be equivalently considered as additional variables, keeping them as parameters allows maintaining the quadratic problem structure, which is essential for the proposed algorithm. The branch and bound algorithm presented in the paper handles both universally and existentially quantified parameters in a homogeneous way, without branching on their domains, and uses some dedicated numerical constraint programming techniques for finding a robust, global solution. Several examples clarify the theoretical parts and the tests demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method.     

Random matrix theory for transition strength densities in finite quantum systems: Results from embedded unitary ensembles

Embedded random matrix ensembles are generic models for describing statistical properties of finite isolated interacting quantum many-particle systems. For the simplest spinless fermion (or boson) systems, with say m$m$ fermions (or bosons) in N$N$ single particle states and interacting via k$k$-body interactions, we have EGUE(k$k$) [embedded GUE of k$k$-body interactions] with GUE embedding and the embedding algebra is U(N)$U\left(N\right)$. A finite quantum system, induced by a transition operator, makes transitions from its states to the states of the same system or to those of another system. Examples are electromagnetic transitions (then the initial and final systems are same), nuclear beta and double beta decay (then the initial and final systems are different), particle addition to or removal from a given system and so on. Towards developing a complete statistical theory for transition strength densities (transition strengths multiplied by the density of states at the initial and final energies), we have derived formulas for the lower order bivariate moments of the strength densities generated by a variety of transition operators. Firstly, for a spinless fermion system, using EGUE(k$k$) representation for a Hamiltonian that is k$k$-body and an independent EGUE(t$t$) representation for a transition operator that is t$t$-body and employing the embedding U(N)$U\left(N\right)$ algebra, finite-N$N$ formulas for moments up to order four are derived, for the first time, for the transition strength densities. Secondly, formulas for the moments up to order four are also derived for systems with two types of spinless fermions and a transition operator similar to beta decay and neutrinoless beta decay operators. In addition, moments formulas are also derived for a transition operator that removes k₀$k_0$ number of particles from a system of m$m$ spinless fermions. In the dilute limit, these formulas are shown to reduce to those for the EGOE version derived using the asymptotic limit theory of Mon and French (1975). Numerical results obtained using the exact formulas for two-body (k=2$k=2$) Hamiltonians (in some examples for k=3$k=3$ and 4$4$) and the asymptotic formulas clearly establish that in general the smoothed (with respect to energy) form of the bivariate transition strength densities take bivariate Gaussian form for isolated finite quantum systems. Extensions of these results to bosonic systems and EGUE ensembles with further symmetries are discussed.     

Evaluating a time-delay of hydrogen production quantitatively in photosynthetic bacteria for stabilizing intermittency

Renewable energy is regarded as a clean energy source but has some problems, one of which is intermittency. To reduce this, the time-delay of hydrogen production by photosynthetic bacteria can be effective. In this study, we qualitatively evaluated the time-delay of hydrogen production by photosynthetic bacteria under various irradiation conditions, and we also quantitatively evaluated it by fitting the experimental data and the hydrogen production model with a genetic algorithm. As a result of model fitting, we found that the relationship between the lengths of the optimized time-delay of hydrogen production by photosynthetic bacteria and the amount of light irradiation is linear. And we also found that the time-delay of hydrogen production by photosynthetic bacteria had an upper limit under low light intensity. We have suggested the existence of an energy store mechanism in photosynthetic bacteria.     

Excellent Performance of Few‐Layer Borocarbonitrides as Anode Materials in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Borocarbonitrides (B_xC_yN_z) with a graphene‐like structure exhibit a remarkable high lithium cyclability and current rate capability. The electrochemical performance of the B_xC_yN_z materials, synthesized by using a simple solid‐state synthesis route based on urea, was strongly dependent on the composition and surface area. Among the three compositions studied, the carbon‐rich compound B_0.15C_0.73N_0.12 with the highest surface area showed an exceptional stability (over 100 cycles) and rate capability over widely varying current density values (0.05–1 A g^?1). B_0.15C_0.73N_0.12 has a very high specific capacity of 710 mA h g^?1 at 0.05 A g^?1. With the inclusion of a suitable additive in the electrolyte, the specific capacity improved drastically, recording an impressive value of nearly 900 mA h g^?1 at 0.05 A g^?1. It is believed that the solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer at the interface of B_xC_yN_z and electrolyte also plays a crucial role in the performance of the B_xC_yN_z .     

Generation of Aryl(2‐lithiophenyl)methanone O‐Methyl Oximes and Their Use for the Synthesis of N‐(3‐Alkyl‐1‐aryl‐ or 1,3‐diaryl‐1H‐isoindol‐1‐yl)‐O‐methylhydroxylamines via the Reaction with Nitriles

An efficient two‐step procedure for the preparation of a new type of 1H‐isoindoles, i.e., N‐(3‐alkyl‐1‐aryl‐ or 1,3‐diaryl‐1H‐isoindol‐1‐yl)‐O‐methylhydroxylamines 5 , from readily available aryl(2‐bromophenyl)methanones 1 has been developed. Aryl(2‐bromophenyl)methanone O‐methyloximes 2 , derived from the corresponding ketones, were treated with BuLi in Et₂O at 0° to generate novel lithium compounds, aryl(2‐lithiophenyl)methanone O‐methyloximes 3 , which were allowed to react with nitriles to give the desired products 5 in moderate‐to‐fair yields.     

Probing the Rotational Dynamics of meso‐(2‐Substituted)aryl Substituents in A2B‐Type Subporphyrins

A₂B‐type B‐methoxy subporphyrins 3 a – g and B‐phenyl subporphyrins 7 a – c , e , g bearing meso‐(2‐substituted)aryl substituents are synthesized, and their rotational dynamics are examined through variable‐temperature (VT) ¹H NMR spectroscopy. In these subporphyrins, the rotation of meso‐aryl substituents is hindered by a rationally installed 2‐substituent. The rotational barriers determined are considerably smaller than those reported previously for porphyrins. Comparison of the rotation activation parameters reveals a variable contribution of ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠ in ΔG^≠. 2‐Methyl and 2‐ethyl groups of the meso‐aryl substituents in subporphyrins 3 e , 3 f , and 7 e induce larger rotational barriers than 2‐alkoxyl substituents. The rotational barriers of 3 g and 7 g are reduced by the presence of the 4‐dibenzylamino group owing to its ability to stabilize the coplanar rotation transition state electronically. The smaller rotational barriers found for B‐phenyl subporphyrins than for B‐methoxy subporphyrins indicate a negligible contribution of S_N1‐type heterolysis in the rotation of meso‐aryl substituents.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Properties of Single-Walled Carbon Nanohorns

Single-walled nanohorns (SWNHs) have been prepared by sub-merged arc discharge of graphite electrodes in liquid nitrogen. The samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Nitrogen and boron doped SWNHs have been prepared by the sub-merged arc discharge method using melamine and elemental boron as precursors. Intensification of Raman D-band and stiffening of G-band has been observed in the doped samples. The electrical resistance of the SWNHs varies in opposite directions with nitrogen and boron doping. Functionalization of SWNHs through amidation has been carried out for solubilizing them in non-polar solvents. Water-soluble SWNHs have been produced by acid treatment and non-covalent functionalization with a coronene salt. SWNHs have been decorated with nanoparticles of Au, Ag and Pt. Interaction of electron donor (tetrathiafulvalene, TTF) and acceptor molecules (tetracyanoethylene, TCNE) with SWNHs has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy. Progressive softening and stiffening of Raman G-band has been observed respectively with increase in the concentration of TTF and TCNE.