The Metaphosphite (PO2−) Anion as a Ligand

The utilization of monomeric, lower phosphorous oxides and oxoanions, such as metaphosphite (PO₂⁻), which is the heavier homologue of the common nitrite anion but previously only observed in the gas phase and by matrix isolation, requires new synthetic strategies. Herein, a series of rhenium(I–III) complexes with PO₂⁻ as ligand is reported. Synthetic access was enabled by selective oxygenation of a terminal phosphide complex. Spectroscopic and computational examination revealed slightly stronger σ-donor and comparable π-acceptor properties of PO₂⁻ compared to homologous NO₂⁻, which is one of the archetypal ligands in coordination chemistry.     

Electrophotocatalytic Undirected C−H Trifluoromethylations of (Het)Arenes

Electrophotochemistry has enabled arene C−H trifluoromethylation with the Langlois reagent CF₃SO₂Na under mild reaction conditions. The merger of electrosynthesis and photoredox catalysis provided a chemical oxidant-free approach for the generation of the CF₃ radical. The electrophotochemistry was carried out in an operationally simple manner, setting the stage for challenging C−H trifluoromethylations of unactivated arenes and heteroarenes. The robust nature of the electrophotochemical manifold was reflected by a wide scope, including electron-rich and electron-deficient benzenes, as well as naturally occurring heteroarenes. Electrophotochemical C−H trifluoromethylation was further achieved in flow with a modular electro-flow-cell equipped with an in-operando monitoring unit for on-line flow-NMR spectroscopy, providing support for the single electron transfer processes.     

On the discovery of events in EEG data utilizing information fusion

One way to tackle brain computer interfaces is to consider event related potentials in electroencephalography, like the well established P300 phenomenon. In this paper a multiple classifier approach to discover these events in the bioelectrical signal and with them whether or not a subject has recognized a particular pattern, is employed. Dealing with noisy data as well as heavily imbalanced target class distributions are among the difficulties encountered. Our approach utilizes partitions of electrodes to create robust and meaningful individual classifiers, which are then subsequently combined using decision fusion. Furthermore, a classifier selection approach using genetic algorithms is evaluated and used for optimization. The proposed approach utilizing information fusion shows promising results (over 0.8 area under the ROC curve).     

Azaruthena(II)‐bicyclo[3.2.0]heptadiene: Key Intermediate for Ruthenaelectro(II/III/I)‐catalyzed Alkyne Annulations

A ruthenium‐catalyzed electrochemical dehydrogenative annulation reaction of imidazoles with alkynes has been established, enabling the preparation of various bridgehead N‐fused [5,6]‐bicyclic heteroarenes through regioselective electrochemical C?H/N?H annulation without chemical metal oxidants. Novel azaruthenabicyclo[3.2.0]heptadienes were fully characterized and identified as key intermediates. Mechanistic studies are suggestive of an oxidatively induced reductive elimination pathway within a ruthenium(II/III) regime.     

A parameter-free smoothness indicator for high-resolution finite element schemes

This paper presents a postprocessing technique for estimating the local regularity of numerical solutions in high-resolution finite element schemes. A derivative of degree p ≥ 0 is considered to be smooth if a discontinuous linear reconstruction does not create new maxima or minima. The intended use of this criterion is the identification of smooth cells in the context of p-adaptation or selective flux limiting. As a model problem, we consider a 2D convection equation discretized with bilinear finite elements. The discrete maximum principle is enforced using a linearized flux-corrected transport algorithm. The deactivation of the flux limiter in regions of high regularity makes it possible to avoid the peak clipping effect at smooth extrema without generating spurious undershoots or overshoots elsewhere.     

Microwave Loss Reduction in Cryogenically Cooled Conductors

Measurements of microwave attenuation at room temperature and 4.2 K have been performed on some conductors commonly used in receiver input circuits. The reduction in loss on cooling is substantial, particularly for copper and plated gold, both of which showed a factor of 3 loss reduction. Copper passivated with benzotriazole shows the same loss as without passivation. The residual resistivity ratio between room temperature and 4.2 K, deduced from the measurements using the classical skin effect formula, was smaller than the measured DC value to a degree consistent with conduction in the extreme anomalous skin effect regime at cryogenic temperatures. The measurements were made in the 5–10 GHz range. The materials tested were: aluminum alloys 1100-T6 and 6061-O, C101 copper, benzotriazole treated C101 copper, and brass plated with electroformed copper, Pur-A-Gold 125-Au soft gold, and BDT200 bright gold.     

Multiple Reaction Pathways in Rhodium‐Catalyzed Hydrosilylations of Ketones

A detailed density functional theory (DFT) computational study (using the BP86/SV(P) and B3LYP/TZVP//BP86/SV(P) level of theory) of the rhodium‐catalyzed hydrosilylation of ketones has shown three mechanistic pathways to be viable. They all involve the generation of a cationic complex [L_nRh^I]⁺ stabilized by the coordination of two ketone molecules and the subsequent oxidative addition of the silane, which results in the Rh–silyl intermediates [L_nRh^III(H)SiHMe₂]⁺. However, they differ in the following reaction steps: in two of them, insertion of the ketone into the Rh? Si bond occurs, as previously proposed by Ojima et al., or into the Si? H bond, as proposed by Chan et al. for dihydrosilanes. The latter in particular is characterized by a very high activation barrier associated with the insertion of the ketone into the Si? H bond, thereby making a new, third mechanistic pathway that involves the formation of a silylene intermediate more likely. This “silylene mechanism” was found to have the lowest activation barrier for the rate‐determining step, the migration of a rhodium‐bonded hydride to the ketone that is coordinated to the silylene ligand. This explains the previously reported rate enhancement for R₂SiH₂ compared to R₃SiH as well as the inverse kinetic isotope effect (KIE) observed experimentally for the overall catalytic cycle because deuterium prefers to be located in the stronger bond, that is, C? D versus M? D.