Measurement of the ground-state lambshift of hydrogenlike uranium at the electron cooler of the ESR

X-rays are emitted with the radiative recombination of free electrons in an electron cooler of a heavyion storage ring. Due to a small width of the X-ray lines, an observation angle close to 0° and an accurate determination of the ion velocity, the ground-state Lambshift of hydrogenlike uranium (470 ± 16) eV could be measured to an accuracy of 3.4%. A re-evaluation of a measurement of the 1s _1/2 Lambshift in hydrogenlike gold gave a new value of (202.3 ± 7.9) eV as compared to the former value of (212 ± 15) eV. The results are in excellent agreement with QED calculations and are more precise than any other measurements previously reported for a high-Z, hydrogenlike ion.     

Exploring the chemistry of epoxy amides for the synthesis of the 2'-epi-diazepanone core of liposidomycins and caprazamycins

New synthetic strategies have been explored for the synthesis of the structural core of liposidomycins and caprazamycins, an intriguing class of complex nucleoside-type antibiotics. This structural core is comprised of a cyclic diazepanone system linked to an uridyl fragment. The various synthetic approaches have in common that they originate from an epoxy amide derived from uridine, obtained via reaction of uridyl aldehyde 19 with an amide-stabilized sulfur ylide. Two different strategies were shown to be efficient in constructing the diazepanone ring system: (a) a reductive amination of an epoxy aldehyde with N-methylamine with subsequent intramolecular oxirane ring opening and (b) a carbene insertion reaction of an acyclic diazoamine precursor.     

Utilization of the significant structure concepts in the study of the adsorption process from a solution

Summary The significant structures theory of the liquid state is used to find a model of the adsorption process from a solution. This model leads to an expression of the adsorption rate. From this an adsorption isotherm and an interfacial equation of state are deduced. The boundary cases are studied.     

The role of the pressing-on in the adhesion of elastic particles

One has carried out an analysis of the influence of the preliminary pressing-on on components of the adhesion force of different natures for the case of the contact of elastic particles with a rigid substrate. Two pressing-on variants are considered; as, - those realized under the effect of a dynamic and a static load. It has been shown that an increase in the adhesion of elastic particles to the surface resulting from the preliminary pressing-on is attributable to an increase in the adhesion force component due to a double electric layer in contact.     

Quantum mechanical models of the resting state of the vanadium-dependent haloperoxidase

Density functional theory has been used to investigate structural and electronic properties of complexes related to the resting form of the active site of vanadium haloperoxidase as a function of environment and protonation state. Results obtained by studying models of varying size and complexity highlight the influence of environment and protonation state on the structure and stability of the metal cofactor. The study shows that, in the trigonal bipyramidal active site, where one axial position is occupied by a key histidine, the trans position cannot contain a terminal oxo group. Further, a highly negatively charged vanadate unit is not stable. Protonation of at least one equatorial oxo ligand appears necessary to stabilize the metal cofactor. The study also indicates that, while at rest within the protein, the vanadate unit is most likely an anion with an axial hydroxide and an equatorial plane containing two oxos and a hydroxide. For the neutral, protonated state of the vanadate unit, there were two minima found. The first structure is characterized by an axial water with two oxo and one hydroxo group in the equatorial plane. The second structure contains an axial hydroxo group and an equatorial plane composed of one oxo and two hydroxo oxygen atoms. These two species are not significantly different in energy, indicating that either form may be important during the catalytic cycle. These data support the initial crystallographic assignment of an axially bound hydroxide, but an axial water is also a possibility. This study also shows that the protonation state of the vanadate ion is most likely greater than previously proposed.     

Adsorption of acicular particles at liquid-fluid interfaces and the influence of the line tension

In this paper, the adsorption energy of an acicular (prolate and cylindrical) particle onto a liquid-fluid interface and the effect of the line tension are investigated. The results show that, without line tension, acicular particles always prefer to lie flat in the plane of the interface. However, line tension plays a significant role in determining the adsorption of an acicular particle. First, the line tension creates an energy barrier for the adsorption of particles onto an interface. The planar configuration has a larger energy barrier due to the longer contact line. Therefore, the particles prefer to enter the interface in a homeotropic configuration and then rearrange to a planar configuration or an oblique configuration with a small tilt angle. Second, for prolate particles, an energy maximum occurs at some tilt angles when the line tension is large. Therefore, once the prolate particle is adsorbed on the interface in a homeotropic configuration or with a larger tilt angle, it must conquer an energy barrier to rearrange to a planar configuration. For cylindrical particles, when the line tension is higher, the planar configuration will not be the most energy-favorable configuration. The cylindrical particles prefer to stay in the interface with a small tilt angle.     

Investigation of the one-pot synthesis of quinolin-2-(1H)-ones and the discovery of a variation of the three-component Ugi reaction

Rapid access to the quinolin-2-(1H)-one scaffold is afforded by a sequential 4 component Ugi–Knoevenagel condensation of an aminophenylketone, an aromatic aldehyde possessing electron donating moieties, cyanoacetic acid and an aliphatic isocyanide, in moderate to good yields (49–71%). Interestingly, when the reaction is performed using aromatic aldehydes bearing electron withdrawing moieties or isocyanides containing aromatic or ester units, a mixture of a quinolin-2-(1H)-one and an α-amino amide (Ugi three-component adduct) is afforded in varying ratios. Further when the reaction is performed utilizing a combination of an isocyanide-containing aromatic or carbonyl unit, and an aldehyde possessing an electron withdrawing functionality, the Ugi three-component adduct is exclusively afforded. In our hands this new variation of the Ugi 3CR proved to be efficient and robust affording analogues in good yields (51–70%).     

Gels of shape-persistent macrocycles: the role of the interior

The aggregation of shape-persistent macrocycles with an empty cavity, an undecyldiether strand and a tetraethylene glycol strand leads in all cases to a macroscopic gelation of the solvent. However, the gelation temperatures are fine-tuned by the intraannular substituents.     

Theoretical study of the reaction mechanisms involved in the thermal intramolecular reactions of 1,6-fullerenynes

Substitution of a H atom by an alkyl group on the terminal carbon of the alkyne moiety of 1,6-fullerenynes has a strong impact on the products of the reaction undergone by this species after thermal treatment. While the reaction of 1,6-fullerenynes bearing an unsubstituted alkyne moiety results in the cycloaddition of the alkyne group to the fullerene double bond leading to cyclobutene-fused derivatives, the presence of an alkyl substituent leads to the formation of allenes. In the present work, we have performed an exhaustive theoretical analysis of all possible reaction mechanisms leading to cyclobutene-fused derivatives and allenes to offer an explanation of the reactivity differences observed. The results obtained show that formation of cyclobutene-fused derivatives occurs through a stepwise diradical reaction mechanism, while allene formation proceeds through a concerted way involving an uncommon intramolecular ene process. For the 1,6-fullerenynes bearing a substituted alkyne, the ene reaction path leading to allenes has an energy barrier somewhat lower than the stepwise diradical mechanism for the cyclobutene-fused derivative formation, thus explaining the outcome of the reaction.     

Effect of the cationic composition of cryolite-alumina melts on the anodic overvoltage

Steady-state polarization of anodes prepared from platinum or glassy carbon is studied in a laboratory cell in a cryolite-alumina melt containing small amounts of potassium and lithium fluorides and various alumina amounts. The surface area of the anodes reaches a few centimeters squared. An insignificant depolarization of the anodic process is discovered following the replacement of a fraction of sodium ions in the electrolyte by potassium ions in an amount of ～3.9 mol % KF (～4.1 wt %) and a noticeable depolarization, following the substitution of K⁺ in an amount of ～7.1 mol % KF (～7.6 wt %). Substituting lithium ions in an amount of ～3.7 mol % LiF (～1.8 wt %) for a fraction of sodium ions leads to an insignificant polarization. A significant effect of a general cryolite ratio on polarization is discovered. A noticeable increase in the anodic polarization is fixed at an alumina concentration equal to 5–5.5 wt %.     

Influence of the structure of boundary layers and the nature of counterions on the position of the isoelectric point of silica surfaces

Dependences of electrokinetic potentials of different silica materials (nano-and ultraporous glasses, a quartz glass plane-parallel capillary, and monodisperse spherical particles of silicon oxide) on the pH of solutions containing single-, double-, and triple-charged cations have been compared. It has been shown that the degree of hydration of a single-charged cation and the structure of an interface substantially affect the position of the isoelectric point (IEP). The most hydrated Na⁺ ions have virtually no effect on the position of the IEP up to their concentration of 0.1 M irrespective of the thickness of an ion-permeable layer at the surface of a solid phase. A reduction in the radius of a hydrated cation (K⁺, Cs⁺) enables its penetration into an ion-permeable layer and, as a consequence, causes the IEP to shift toward larger pH values depending on the parameters of this layer. Two IEPs are observed in LaCl₃ solutions: one at a pH value close to pH_IEP in NaCl solutions and another at a higher pH value corresponding to the charge reversal of the Stern layer.     

Determining the temperature to initiate the explosion of a propellant

Summary Gun propellants are per definition instable substances. During their lifetime a slow decomposition process is going-on. During this decomposition process the heat that is generated accelerates the process, which could result to an unsafe situation, or an unexpected explosion of the material. The temperature to initiate the explosion of a propellant is of importance for the storage conditions of such a substance. The method used so far to evaluate this temperature is based on an extrapolation of the Kissinger equation at zero heating rate. A new proposal is the use of the invariant kinetic parameters (IKP) method to determine the iso-kinetic temperature and extrapolating it to zero heating rate as an alternative method. The results are discussed for some examples.     

Synthesis of the core structure of acutumine

[reaction: see text] The tricyclic core of the bioactive natural product acutumine has been synthesized. Key steps include an oxidative phenolic coupling to form a masked o-benzoquinone, an anionic oxy-Cope rearrangement to construct an all-carbon quaternary center, and a Michael-type cyclization to form an amine-bearing quaternary carbon. The target compound exists in solution as an enol, in contrast to related compounds that are ketones. A model explaining these observations is presented.     

Analysis of the Inhibition of the Ergosterol Pathway in Fungi Using the Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe (ASAP) Method

Fungal cells treated with various inhibitors to the ergosterol pathway were analyzed using an Orbitrap mass spectrometer equipped with an atmospheric solids analysis probe (ASAP). The technique is a rapid means for determining which of the multiple steps in the ergosterol pathway were interrupted by an inhibitor. Furthermore, in an inhibitor concentration study, the ASAP method was able to rapidly provide an estimate of the effectiveness of inhibition. In this method the cells are inserted directly into a hot nitrogen stream, thus eliminating extensive sample workup before analysis. Data indicating the point of pathway interruption are obtained in seconds.     

Periodicity in the formulae of carbonyls and the electronic basis of the Periodic Table

The basis of the Periodic Table is discussed. Electronic configuration recurs in only 21 out of the 32 groups. A better basis is derived by considering the highest classical valency (v) exhibited by an element and a new measure, the highest valency in carbonyl compounds (v*). This leads to a table based on the number of outer electrons possessed by an atom (N) and the number of electrons required for it to achieve an inert (noble) gas configuration (N*). Periodicity of these is nearly complete. The new basis helps to settle the question of the best form of table and related issues.     

On the low-temperature limit of the mean square amplitude matrix

In a previous paper Cauchy's residue theorem has been shown to furnish an expedient tool for dealing with the mean square amplitude matrix Σ. Here the application of a D-shaped contour is found to provide a convenient point of departure in deriving a non-spectral computational approach to Σ in the lowtemperature limit, the basic result being an integral representation involving the values of a generalized compliance matrix at pure imaginary frequency values. Alternatively, this result is also obtainable from Poisson- or Euler-transforms of a previously derived series relating to an O-shaped circular path of integration. In addition, bounds on the thermal contribution are included.     

Characterization of the switch in the mechanism of an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction

Changing the dienophile moiety of an intramolecular Diels-Alder (IMDA) cycloaddition from an allyl ether to an allenyl ether can dramatically change the regioselectivity. We hereby show by density functional theory computations that such unprecedented divergence is produced by an underlying change in the mechanism of the reaction. The allyl ether yields a fused tetrahydrofuran through a classical Diels-Alder reaction, whereas the allenyl ether yields a (methylidene)tetrahydropyran through a stepwise process. The latter reaction involves an extreme asynchronism in the bond-forming events with a diradicaloid intermediate that is stabilized by conjugation and synergistic (captodative) effects. Comparison with intermolecular model D-A reactions, which are concerted processes with various degrees of asynchrony, helps explain the change in regioselectivity for the IMDA reaction of allyl systems and the shift in mechanism for the IMDA reaction of the allenyl derivatives studied.     

A theoretical study of the electronic effect of the ligand bite angle on the hydrosilylation reaction of ketones by Cu(I) diphosphine complexes

Diphosphine ligands are commonly used for the catalytic hydrosilylation of ketones using Cu(I) complexes. The electronic effect of the P-Cu-P bite angle has been investigated by a theoretical DFT study. An increase of the P-Cu-P bite angle induces a stronger phosphorus lone pair/Cu-H σ∗ orbital interaction due to a better overlap between these orbitals. This increase in overlap affects structural and electronic properties of the copper hydride catalyst. Increasing the bite angle leads to a decrease of the Cu-P distances and an increases of the Cu-H distances. From an electronic point of view, the effect of an increasing bite angle leads to a weakening of the σ Cu-H orbital, and an increase of the hydride population. The increased polarization of the hydride leads to an easier electron transfer from the σ Cu-H bond to the carbon of the ketone.     

Self-Assembled Helical Arrays for the Stabilization of the Triplet State

Room-temperature phosphorescence of metal and heavy atom-free organic molecules has emerged as an area of great potential in recent years. A rational design played a critical role in controlling the molecular ordering to impart efficient intersystem crossing and stabilize the triplet state to achieve room-temperature ultralong phosphorescence. However, in most cases, the strategies to strengthen phosphorescence efficiency have resulted in a reduced lifetime, and the available nearly degenerate singlet-triplet energy levels impart a natural competition between delayed fluorescence and phosphorescence, with the former one having the advantage. Herein, an organic helical assembly supports the exhibition of an ultralong phosphorescence lifetime. In contrary to other molecules, 3,6-phenylmethanone functionalized 9-hexylcarbazole exhibits a remarkable improvement in phosphorescence lifetime (>4.1 s) and quantum yield (11 %) owing to an efficient molecular packing in the crystal state. A right-handed helical molecular array act as a trap and exhibits triplet exciton migration to support the exceptionally longer phosphorescence lifetime.