Analysis of the crystal structures of 1,3‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,3,2‐diazasilol‐2‐ylidene and 1,3‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2‐dichloro‐1,3‐diaza‐2‐sila‐4‐cyclopentene

The crystal structures of the title compounds, 1,3‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,3,2‐diazasilol‐2‐ylidene, C₁₀H₂₀N₂Si ( 1 ) and 1,3‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2‐dichloro‐1,3‐diaza‐2‐sila‐4‐cyclopentene, C₁₀H₂₀N₂SiCl2 ( 3 ) were solved and are reported. Compound ( 1 ) crystallized in space group P mmn and each molecule has a mirror plane, which bisects the C‐C backbone of the N‐C‐C‐N framework. Compound ( 1 ) was also found to have a 2‐fold twin component. In compound ( 3 ) the space group P 2₁/m results with the mirror plane passing through the N‐C‐C‐N backbone. We compare these structures with the gas phase determination previously reported for ( 1 ) and the incomplete single crystal data for ( 3 ). (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Phase transition behavior and structure of the thermotropic liquid crystal 6‐{[(4′‐{[(undecyl)carbonyl]oxy}biphenyl‐4yl)carbonyl]oxy}‐1‐hexyne

The phase transition behaviors and corresponding structures of 6‐{[(4′‐{[(undecyl)carbonyl]oxy}biphenyl‐4yl)carbonyl]oxy}‐1‐hexyne (A4EE11) were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). In comparison with the published homologues, 5‐{[(4′‐heptoxy‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)carbonyl]oxy}‐1‐pentyne (A3EO7) which shows a monotropic smectic A (SmA) phase and a metastable monotropic smectic C (SmC) phase; 5‐{[(4′‐heptoxy‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)oxy]carbonyl}‐ 1‐pentyne (A3E'O7) that exhibits three enantiotropic stable liquid crystalline (LC) phases, SmA phase, SmC phase and smectic X (SmX) phase; 5‐{[(4′‐heptoxy‐biphenyl‐4‐yl)carbonyl]oxy}‐1‐undecyne (A9EO7) which has a monotropic SmA phase and a metastable crystal phase, A4EE11 integrates the enantiotropy, monotropy and metastability of the LC phases of those three compounds. Upon cooling from isotropic state to room temperature, in the temperature range of 62.0 to 58.5°C, A4EE11 shows an enantiotropic smectic A (SmA) phase with a layer spacing d=32.69Å. Further lowering the temperature, it enters into a metastable monotropic smectic B (SmB) phase with a longer layer spacing d=34.22Å which has a tendency towards crystallization. The metastability of the liquid crystalline phase may associate to the linkage order of the ester bridge between the mesogenic core and the flexible spacer. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Diffusion couple studies of the Ti‐Bi‐Zn system

The system Ti‐Bi‐Zn has been investigated using diffusion couples consisting of solid Ti and liquid (Bi+Zn) phase. The diffusion paths at 400, 500, 700 and 800 °C have been traced by means of electron microprobe analyses. The growth constants of the diffusion layers are roughly assessed. The phase diagram data obtained in this investigation are compared with previous studies of equilibrated alloys. The existence of the ternary compound TiBiZn has been confirmed. The formation of another phase with approximate formulae Ti₄Bi₃Zn to Ti₉Bi₇Zn₄ has been observed at high temperatures. The latter compound as well as the ternary extension of the Ti_XBi_Y (X ≈ 5, Y ≈ 6) phase react easily with air. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Observation of the δ to ε Zr‐hydride transition by in‐situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction

We investigate the formation and dissolution of hydrides in commercially pure zirconium powder in‐situ using high‐energy synchrotron X‐ray radiation. Experimental results showed a continuous phase transition between the δ and ε zirconium hydride phases with indication of a second order phase transformation.     

Comments and reconciliation of the Ni–Bi‐system thermodynamic reassessments

The binary Ni‐Bi alloys as well as multicomponent materials comprising systems like Ni‐Bi‐Sn, Ni‐Bi‐Sb etc. are recently considered as prospective for design of lead‐free solders. For that reason various authors focused their attention to the Ni‐Bi system thermodynamics. The studies identified five phases in the above system. Two of them (i.e., (Ni) and liquid), were treated as disordered substitutional solutions. The phase NiBi₃ is stoichiometric and a standard two‐sublattice model was repeatedly applied to describe its Gibbs free energy, while for the nonstoichiometric NiBi phase, a three‐sublattice model was retained. The pure bismuth phase ((Bi)) is stoichiometric as well. The results are discussed and compared to literature thermochemical and topological data. In liquid state, strong repulsions between nickel and bismuth atoms are anticipated in the nickel rich‐side, but no data about a liquid phase miscibility gap is available yet. Therefore, the stability of the liquid phase has to be reassured, in spite of positive deviations from ideal behaviour. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Determination of the phase diagram for the crystallization of L‐asparaginase II by a turbidity technique ‐ part II. ‐MPD and crystallography studies‐

The phase diagram for the crystallization of L‐asparaginase II including the metastable zone width (MZW), in the presence of PEG₆₀₀₀ and ethanol, respectively, has been studied by an online turbidity technique out of the crystallization in solution (see part I of this work 1 ). Here this paper describes a further investigation on constructing a phase diagram including MZW for the crystallization of L‐asparaginase II with a different precipitant agent of 2‐methyl‐2, 4‐pentandiol (MPD). Along with the phase diagram, the single crystal X‐ray data were successfully collected at 100K from a crystal formed in the presence of 26% (v/v) MPD. The crystals indicate an orthorhombic form and belong to the space group of P2₁2₁2₁ with the unit cell parameters a = 93.9, b = 125.77, c = 151.75Å. The crystal diffracted up to a resolution of 2.88 Å.     

Phase transformation of guanosine 5′‐monophosphate in drowning‐out crystallization: Comparison of experimental results with mathematical modeling

The phase transformation of Guanosine 5′‐Monophousphate (GMP) in drowning‐out crystallization using a batch system was experimentally monitored and mathematically modeled. The solid (amorphous and crystalline GMP hydrate) and liquid phases of the GMP products were simultaneously monitored using a video microscope, FT‐IR, and UV/Vis spectroscopy during the phase transformation. For the modeling, the phase transformation was assumed to occur via the simultaneous dissolution of amorphous GMP and growth of crystalline GMP hydrate in the solution. Based on a comparison of the experimental results and model predictions, both the dissolution and growth of the GMP solids were found to contribute competitively to the phase transformation. When varying the crystallization conditions, in this case the agitation speed and feed concentration, the phase transformation was significantly promoted when increasing the agitation speed, yet independent of the feed concentration. The simple mathematical model used for the GMP phase transformation was quite successful in describing the experimental results. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Thermal analysis,powder diffraction and spectroscopic investigation of the solid phases of 1‐chloro‐2,2‐dimethylpropane

By the substitution of one methyl group in Neopentane C(CH₃)₄ with a methylchlorid group the globular sphere is expanded in 1‐chloro‐2,2‐dimethylpropane (CH₃)₃C(CH₂Cl). With the aid of DSC measurements, X‐ray powder diffraction, ¹H NMR and ³⁵Cl NQR measurements two orientationally disordered (plastic) phases were established. The low temperature structure was solved and a structural model of phase II is proposed. A mechanism to describe the reorientation in the different phases is given as well as a connectivity scheme between the phases is discussed. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal structure,thermal analysis and IR spectrometric investigation of bis (2‐amino‐6‐methyl) pyridinium sulfate

The synthesis method, crystal structure determination, phase transitions studied by thermal analysis and IR spectrometric investigation of 2C₆H₉N₂⁺.SO₄^2– are reported. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (no. 15) with a = 10.5068(4) Å, b = 10.2225(5) Å, c = 14.0422(7) Å, and β = 104.489(3)°. The atomic arrangement can be described by layers built by all the components of the structure and centered by planes z = 1/4 and 3/4. The organic molecules form channels parallel to the c direction with dimensions of 4.163(1)Å and 5.148(4)Å. Thermal analysis shows that the anhydrous compound presents an irreversible weak phase transition. The IR study, based on theoretical analyses and on the literature data allows the interpretation of the IR spectrum. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Dielectric and microhardness studies on L‐citrulline and L‐ascorbic acid admixture TGS crystals

Single crystals of amino acid doped (L–citrulline, L‐ascorbic acid) triglycine sulphate were grown by slow evaporation technique. The lattice parameters and crystalline quality were confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction studies. The presence of functional groups in the grown crystals was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectrum analysis. The dielectric studies were carried out to identify the phase transition temperature and the dielectric constant was found to be less for both the doped crystals than pure triglycine sulphate crystal. Micro hardness studies were carried out using Vickers pyramidal indentation technique at room temperature showed a decrease in hardness due to doping. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Time‐dependent dielectric behaviour in incommensurate TlInS2 crystal

The results of measurements of temperature and time dependencies of the dielectric constant of TlInS₂ in the temperature interval of successive incommensurate and commensurate phase transitions have been presented. Considerable decrease of the dielectric constant in a temperature interval including successive phase transitions was observed after annealing the sample at a fixed temperature in the ferroelectric state. Additionally, it has been revealed that the time dependencies of the real part of dielectric susceptibility and dielectric losses angle tangent of TlInS₂ crystal in the incommensurate phase exhibits an unusual behaviour, which is accompanied by exponential decreasing of the dielectric constant and increasing of dielectric losses angle tangent by time. The observed effects are qualitatively explained using defect‐density‐wave model and phenomenological theory of incommensurate systems containing discommensurations undergoing nucleation and evolution processes. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Solidification behavior and microstructural evolution of the Cr‐Nb eutectic alloy

A series of microstructures including fully coupled eutectic, both α‐Cr and β‐Cr₂Nb primary dendrites embedded in eutectic and only β‐Cr₂Nb primary dendrites plus eutectic were observed in the arc‐melted Cr‐Cr₂Nb eutectic alloy. By employing EPMA analysis performed at the eutectic regions, the eutectic composition of the Cr‐Cr₂Nb system was indicated to contain less than 18 at.%Nb. Based on the solidification phase selection involving phase competitive nucleation and growth, the α‐Cr phase was predicted to be the primary nucleating phase and the β‐Cr₂Nb the primary growing phase. Under large undercooling conditions, the solidification process was controlled by nucleation, which led to the formation of α‐Cr primary particles. With the decrease in undercooling, the solidification process developed into growth controlling, which caused the occurrence of β‐Cr₂Nb primary phase since the actual solidification path of the alloy lay within the hypereutectic region. The explanation was confirmed by the experimental composition analysis.     

Control of the phase composition and morphology of a Cu‐Sb eutectic alloy via liquid‐liquid structure transition

The current paper focuses on the solidification characteristics of a Cu‐Sb eutectic alloy in its different liquid states. Liquid alloy resistivity‐temperature patterns suggest an irreversible temperature‐induced liquid‐liquid structure transition (TI‐LLST), and a reversible TI‐LLST occurred during the heating‐cooling runs. A set of solidification experiments was conducted based on the results. The irreversible TI‐LLST caused an enhanced solidification undercooling, increased solidification rate, refined regular eutectic morphologies, and absence of a pre‐eutectic Cu₂Sb phase. The reversible TI‐LLST resulted in different phase compositions and eutectic structures. The mechanisms behind these transitions are also briefly discussed.     

Self‐pumped phase conjugation in CSBN75 crystals

The self‐pumped phase conjugation in CSBN75 is studied in this investigation basing on an anti‐traditional method, which using part laser spot to irradiate crystal. With the change of the spot size projected on the crystal, the deformed laser spot that introduced by self‐pumped phase conjugation and its complementary pattern are distinctly displayed on the screen. Tentative analysis is executed in this paper. However, it will be applied in optical information processing with these crystals. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Temperature‐concentration oscillations of crystal‐solution phase equilibria in the presence of trace impurities of surface‐active agents

Using the examples of aqueous salt solutions NaNO₃, KNO₃, RbNO₃, K₂SO₄, NaBr·2H₂O, KBr, and NH₄NO₃, it was experimentally proven that the new phenomena, i.e. temperature‐concentration oscillations of crystal‐solution phase equilibria detected previously in the range of 15–45 °C remain in the presence of trace impurities (10^‐4–10^‐3 wt. %) of ion‐active organic matters. The signs of breaks transformation into pair oscillations of “maximum‐minimum” type are established for the K₂SO₄, NaBr, KBr solutions. The efficiency of influence of trace impurities on phase equilibria sharply rises in the areas of the temperature‐concentration oscillations (the saturation temperature ranges up to 10 K). The impurity efficiency is promoted by the presence of the amides in its content (as compared with the sulphates) and an increase in length of the hydrocarbon radical. The phenomenon is absent in case of an addition of ion‐inactive compounds. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal structure,spectroscopic studies and non‐linear optical properties of 2‐amino‐3‐nitropyridinium trichloroacetate

A new quadratic nonlinear optical crystal, 2‐amino‐3‐nitropyridinium trichloroacetate (2A3NPTCA), was synthesized and the single crystals were grown by slow evaporation method at room temperature. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction and powder X‐ray diffraction experiments were carried out in order to confirm the structure and crystalline nature of 2A3NPTCA crystal. The chemical bonding and various functional groups present in the 2A3NPTCA were identified from FT‐IR spectrum. The UV–visible–NIR transmission spectrum shows that it is suitable for frequency‐converting in the wavelength region of 431–1200 nm. Thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were carried out to characterize the thermal behaviors of the grown crystals. Kurtz and Perry powder method for second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements demonstrate that 2A3NPTCA is a phase matching material and its nonlinear optical efficiency is two times that of KDP. All the above results suggest that 2A3NPTCA is a potential candidate of NLO material.     

Structural relationships between single atom type crystal structures and intermetallic compound structures,as illustrated by Laves‐ and Hume‐Rothery phases

In comparison to the single atom type crystal structures, which are relatively simple and are concentrated in four types of structure (Cu, W, Mg, diamond), the crystal structures of intermetallic phases are manifold and often very complicated. At first sight there is no obvious connection between these types of crystal structures, however, a transition mechanism must exist for the solid‐state transition from the simple single atom type crystal structures to the intermetallic phase structures. Such a mechanism would show the inner connection between the structures. In this work the topic is dealt with from a crystallographic point of view. The transition between the structures can be described by the three steps (1) substitution of atoms, (2) systematically ejection of particular atoms from the emerging intermediate structure and (3) spatial relaxation especially of the atoms around the newly formed interstices. This general structural phase transition path will be discussed for two of the intermetallic classes, the Laves phases and the Hume‐Rothery phases. A suitable way of showing this is by making a comparison between the coordination polyhedra (atomic environments) of the single atom type crystal structures and those of the derived intermetallic crystal structures.     

Presence of pseudo‐peptide bond in the crystal structure of n‐(t‐butoxycarbonyl)‐ε‐n′‐benzyloxycarbony‐l‐lysyl‐l‐isoleucine (boc‐lys(obzl)‐ile)

The dipeptide Boc‐Lys(OBzl)‐Ile crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁ with cell parameters a = 5.003(1), b = 19.199(3), c = 15.270(2)Å, β =93.42(1)°, V = 1464.1(3)ų, Z = 2, D_cal = 1.117 Mg/m³ at T = 293 K. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full‐matrix least‐squares procedure to a final R = 0.096 and wR = 0.101 using 1379 reflections. The peptide unit is in trans conformation and the molecule takes up an extended conformation. In the lysine side chain, delocalization of electrons and pseudo peptide bond formation is observed at the interaction site of benzyloxycarbonyl group. Both N‐H…O and main chain C‐H…O hydrogen bonds stabilize the molecules in the unit cell in a parallel β‐sheet fashion. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Soft‐Mode Spectroscopy in Fe:KTa1‐xNbxO3 Crystals

Fe‐doped potassium tantalite niobate, Fe:KTa_1‐xNb_xO₃ (Fe:KTN), crystallizes with x = 0.48 and a perovskite‐type structure in tetragonal system with point group 4mm, conforming space group P4mm. The paraelectric‐ferroelectric structural transition of the Fe:KTN is studied by Raman scattering investigations. A condensed soft lattice vibrational mode at the phase transition has been analyzed. It originates from the symmetric O2/O3‐Nb/Ta‐O3/O2 in‐plane bending of the Nb/TaO₆ group. The soft optical phonon mode concerns the extraordinary transverse optical phonons propagating along the [110] direction. The Raman spectra measured reflect the crystal disorder. Curie temperature measured by two methods is within 353 and 356.5 K.     

Reliability of high‐resolution electron backscatter diffraction determination of strain and rotation variations using phase‐only and cross correlation

This contribution analyzes the reliability of strain and rotation variation determination using cross‐ as well as phase‐only correlation of experimental wide‐angle electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns. For both rotation and three‐point bending the resulting displacement gradient tensor components are examined in terms of magnitude and statistical scatter as a function of various correlation procedure parameters and signal‐to‐noise ratio. It is shown that on the one hand the Fourier filter width has a major impact on the strain results. At higher noise level a smaller filter width has to be applied for obtaining maximum precision. On the other hand, the influence of the degree of overlap of the regions of interest positioned in the patterns is less important. For both rotation and bending experiments the cross‐correlation variant yields a smaller standard deviation with respect to phase‐only correlation, in particular for elevated noise level. The difference is attributed to the stronger propagation of noise effects in the course of phase‐only correlation function calculation and fitting. In the rotation experiment a standard deviation of ∼1.0 × 10⁻⁴, averaged over the displacement gradient tensor components, and a rotational precision of ∼1.5 × 10⁻⁴ rad have been achieved by using optimized evaluation settings.