Nested wreath groups and their applications to phylogeny in biology and Cayley trees in chemistry and physics

Nested wreath product groups arise from looped or recursive structures that contain repeated copies of the same structure one within the other. Phylogeny trees in biology, Cayley trees, Bethe lattices, NMR graphs of non-rigid molecules, ammoniated ammonium ions are all examples of structures that exhibit such nested wreath product automorphism groups. We show that the conjugacy classes, irreducible representations and character tables of these nested group structures can be generated using multinomial generating functions cast in terms of matrix types that can be simplified into generalized cycle type polynomials. The nested wreath product groups rapidly increase in orders, for example, a simple wreath product group \(\hbox {S}_{7}[\hbox {S}_{7}]\) consists of \((7!)^{8}\) or \(4.1633\times 10^{23}\) operations, 481,890 conjugacy classes, spanning a 481,891 \(\times \) 481,891 character table that would occupy 232,217,972 pages. We have obtained powerful recursive relations for the conjugacy classes, character tables and the orders of various conjugacy cases of any nested wreath product \(\{[\hbox {S}_{\mathrm{n}}]\}^{\mathrm{m}}\) or \(\hbox {S}_{\mathrm{n}}[\hbox {S}_{\mathrm{n}}[\hbox {S}_{\mathrm{n}}{\ldots }.[\hbox {S}_{\mathrm{n}}]]{\ldots }.]\) with order \(\left( {n!}\right) ^{a_m},\,\hbox {a}_{\mathrm{m}}=(\hbox {n}^{\mathrm{m}}-1)/(\hbox {n}-1)\). We have obtained the character tables of phylogenetic trees of any order, character tables of Cayley trees of degrees 3 and 4 and for Cayley trees of larger degrees, we have derived exact analytical expressions for the conjugacy classes and IRs for up to \(\{[\hbox {S}_{7}]\}^{\mathrm{m}}\) with order \((7!)^{137257}\) for \(\hbox {m}=7\). Applications to colorings of phylogenic trees in biology are considered.     

Vibratio nal assig nme nts,co nformatio nal a nalysis,a nd molecular structures of $$\left[ {\text{C}_{\text{ n}} \text{mim}} \right]\left[ {\text{NTF}_{\text{2}} } \right]$$C nmimNTF2 ( n = 2, 4, 6, a nd 8) imidazolium-based io nic liquids: a combi ned experime ntal a nd qua ntum chemical approach

This work is aimed at providing physical insights about the interactions of cations, anion, and ion pairs of four imidazolium-based ionic liquids of \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{\text{n}} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\) with varying alkyl chain lengths (n = 2, 4, 6, and 8) using both DFT calculations and vibrational spectroscopic measurements (IR absorption and Raman scattering) in the mid- and far regions. The calculated Mulliken charge distributions of \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{\text{n}} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\) ion pairs indicate that hydrogen-bonding interactions between oxygen and nitrogen atoms (more negative charge) on \(\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]^{ - }\) anion and the hydrogen atoms (more positive charge) on the imidazolium ring play a dominating role in the formation of ion pair. Thirteen stable conformers of \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{2} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\) were optimized. According to our results, the strongest and weakest hydrogen bonds were existing in \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{2} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\) and \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{8} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\), respectively. A redshift of 290, 262, 258, and 257 cm^?1 has been observed for cations involving \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{2} {\text{mim}}} \right]^{ + }\), \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{4} {\text{mim}}} \right]^{ + }\),\(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{6} {\text{mim}}} \right]^{ + }\), and stretching vibrations of \({\text{C}}12{-}{\text{H}}3\), respectively. By increasing the chain length, the strength of hydrogen bonds decreases as a result of \({\text{C}}12{-}{\text{H}}3\) bond elongation and less changes are observed in stretching vibrations of \({\text{C}}12{-}{\text{H}}3\) compared to the free cations. To the best of our knowledge, this research is the first work which reports the far-IR of \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{4} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\), \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{6} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\), and \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{8} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\) and the mid-IR of \(\left[ {{\text{C}}_{8} {\text{mim}}} \right]\left[ {{\text{NTF}}_{2} } \right]\).     

Compatibility of activity coefficients estimated experimentally and by Pitzer equations for the assessment of seawater pH

Calibration of pH meters is usually performed with reference pH buffer solutions of low ionic strength, I ≤ 0.1 mol kg^?1. For seawater pH measurements (I ≈ 0.7 mol kg^?1), calibration buffers in high ionic strength matrix are required. The Harned cell, in association with the Nernst equation and a model for estimating the chloride ion activity coefficient, \(\gamma_{{{\text{Cl}}^{ - } }} ,\) is the basis of the primary method for pH assignment to reference pH buffers. The semi-empirical Pitzer model is, in principle, adequate to estimate \(\gamma_{{{\text{Cl}}^{ - } }}\) of complex solutions, namely seawater. Nevertheless, no assessment of the validity of the model for this matrix is known to the authors. This work aims at estimating the adequacy of the Pitzer model by assessing the metrological compatibility of mean activity coefficients, in this case \(\gamma_{ \pm } = \sqrt {\gamma_{{{\text{H}}^{ + } }} \gamma_{{{\text{Cl}}^{ - } }} }\) estimated experimentally with the Harned cell, \(\gamma_{ \pm }^{\text{Exp}} ,\) and using the Pitzer model, \(\gamma_{ \pm }^{\text{Ptz}}\). The measurement uncertainty considered in the compatibility test was estimated using the bottom-up approach, where components were combined by the numerical Kragten method after checking its adequacy. The compatibility of the estimated \(\gamma_{ \pm }\) was assessed for solutions with increasing complexity and an ionic strength of 0.67 mol kg^–1. \(\gamma_{ \pm }^{\text{Exp}}\) and \(\gamma_{ \pm }^{Ptz}\) are metrologically compatible for a confidence level of 95 % where the relative standard uncertainty of their difference ranged from 1.1 % to 3.1 % in all chloride solutions to approximately 6.3 % when sodium sulfate was also present. This led to assume the validity of the Pitzer model equations to estimate \(\gamma_{{{\text{Cl}}^{ - } }} ,\) required to define reference pH values of buffer solutions with high ionic strength.     

Sparse and nonnegative sparse D-MORPH regression

An underdetermined linear algebraic equation system \(\mathbf{y}={\varvec{\Phi }}\mathbf{x}\), where \({\varvec{\Phi }}\) is an \(m\times n (m<n)\) rectangular constant matrix with rank \(r\le m\) and \(\mathbf{y}\in \mathrm {Ran}({\varvec{\Phi }})\) (range of \({\varvec{\Phi }})\), has an infinite number of solutions. Diffeomorphic modulation under observable response preserving homotopy (D-MORPH) regression seeks a solution satisfying the extra requirement of minimizing a chosen cost function, \({\mathcal {K}}\). A wide variety of choices of the cost function makes it possible to achieve diverse goals, and hence D-MORPH regression has been successfully applied to solve a range of problems. In this paper, D-MORPH regression is extended to determine a sparse or a nonnegative sparse solution of the vector \(\mathbf{x}\). For this purpose, recursive reweighted least-squares (RRLS) minimization is adopted and modified to construct the cost function \({\mathcal {K}}\) for D-MORPH regression. The advantage of sparse and nonnegative sparse D-MORPH regression is that the matrix \({\varvec{\Phi }}\) does not need to have row-full rank, thereby enabling flexibility to search for sparse solutions \(\mathbf{x}\) with ancillary properties in practical applications. These tools are applied to (a) simulation data for quantum-control-mechanism identification utilizing high dimensional model representation (HDMR) modeling and (b) experimental mass spectral data for determining the composition of an unknown mixture of chemical species.     

Quasi-classical trajectory insight into stereodynamics for reaction $$\hbox {He}+\hbox {D}_{2}^{+}\rightarrow \hbox {HeD}^{+}+\hbox {D}$$ with the improved potential energy surface

In this work, a theoretical study on the detailed vector correlation for the reaction \(\hbox {He}+\hbox {D}_{2}^{+}\rightarrow \hbox {HeD}^{+}+\hbox {D}~(\hbox {v}, \hbox {j})\) has been carried out at the collision energy of 23.06 kcal/mol with different rotational states of j \(=\) 0–5 and vibrational states v \(=\) 1–5 by use of the quasi-classical trajectory calculation on an improved potential energy surface. The features of \({{\varvec{P}}}\mathbf{(}{\varvec{\theta }}_{{\varvec{r}}}{} \mathbf{)}\) distributions describing k and \(\mathbf{j}^\prime \) correlations were discussed. In addition, in order to get full knowledge of stereodynamics of the system, the distributions of dihedral angle \({{\varvec{P}}}\mathbf{(}{\varvec{\varphi }}_{{\varvec{r}}}{} \mathbf{)}\) and the polarization-dependent differential cross-sections (PDDCSs) were also reported. It has been demonstrated that both product alignment and polarization are sensitive to the reagent vibrational and rotational number. Furthermore, the dynamics behavior of the reaction is independently changed with respect to j under a certain v except for the product alignment effect \(({\varvec{P}}({\varvec{\theta }}_{{\varvec{r}}}))\), while it exhibits a generally regular trend concerning v when j is invariable.     

The Radial Distribution of Ions and Electrons in RF Inductively Coupled H<Subscript>2</Subscript>/T<Subscript>2</Subscript>B Plasmas

A glow discharge polymer (GDP) was fabricated using trans-2-butene (T₂B) and hydrogen (H₂) via a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system. The uniformity of the GDP films was significantly affected by the radial distribution of the H₂/T₂B plasma parameters. The plasma properties while discharging by a multi-carbon gas source of mixed H₂/T₂B were investigated during the GDP deposition process. The main positive ions and ion energy distributions in inductively coupled H₂/T₂B plasmas were analyzed by energy-resolved mass spectrometer (MS), and the electron density and the effective electron temperature were mainly analyzed using a Langmuir probe. The MS results show that the main positive ions in the plasmas are \({\text{C}}_{ 2} {\text{H}}_{ 4}^{ + }\), \({\text{C}}_{ 2} {\text{H}}_{ 6}^{ + }\), \({\text{C}}_{ 3} {\text{H}}_{ 3}^{ + }\), \({\text{C}}_{ 3} {\text{H}}_{ 6}^{ + }\), \({\text{C}}_{ 3} {\text{H}}_{ 8}^{ + }\), \({\text{C}}_{ 4} {\text{H}}_{ 5}^{ + }\), \({\text{C}}_{ 4} {\text{H}}_{ 1 0}^{ + }\), \({\text{C}}_{ 5} {\text{H}}_{ 5}^{ + }\), and \({\text{C}}_{ 5} {\text{H}}_{ 7}^{ + }\) with mass-to-charge ratios (m/e) of 28, 30, 39, 42, 44, 53, 58, 65, and 67, respectively. For a normalized ion intensity, the relative intensities of saturated CH ions increase with increasing radial distance, while the unsaturated CH ions decrease with increasing radial distance. The ion energy distribution of \({\text{C}}_{ 2} {\text{H}}_{ 6}^{ + }\) (m/e = 30) presents a bimodal structure. Additionally, both the electron density and the effective electron temperature decrease with increasing radial distance.     

The Study of Intermolecular Interactions for <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">dl</Emphasis>-Alanine and Glycine in Aqueous <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>(+)-Arabinose Solutions at Different Temperatures and Ambient Pressure,Using the Volumetric Approach

Density measurements are used to calculate the apparent molar volumes V_φ, limiting apparent molar volumes \(V_{\varphi }^{0}\), limiting apparent molar volumes of transfer, \(\Delta_{\text{t}} V_{\varphi }^{0}\), limiting apparent molar expansibilities, \(E_{\varphi }^{0}\), and hydration numbers n_H, for dl-alanine and glycine in aqueous solutions of l(+)-arabinose at T?=?293.15 to 313.15 K. To obtain the limiting apparent molar volume, the V_φ values are extrapolated to zero molality using the linear form of the Redlich–Meyer equation. Also, the limiting apparent molar volumes of transfer, \(\Delta_{\text{t}} V_{\varphi }^{0}\), for the amino acids, from water to aqueous l(+)-arabinose solutions, are calculated from the \(V_{\varphi }^{0}\) values. The limiting apparent molar expansibility, \(E_{\varphi }^{0}\), values have been obtained from the first derivative of limiting apparent molar volumes with respect to temperature. Also the hydration number, n_H, for both amino acids in the ternary solutions are estimated. Possible solute–solvent interactions in the studied ternary systems are discussed.     

Solubility Thermodynamics of CyMe$$_{}$$-BTBP in Various Diluents Mixed with TBP

The two organic ligands 6,6′-bis(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo[1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)[2,2′]bipyridine (CyMe\(_{4}\)-BTBP) and tri-butyl phosphate (TBP) have previously been investigated in different diluents for use within recycling of used nuclear fuel through solvent extraction. The thermodynamic parameters, \(K_{\mathrm{S}}\), \(\Delta C_{p}\), \(\Delta H^{0}\) and \(\Delta S^{0}\), of the CyMe\(_{4}\)-BTBP solubility in three diluents (cyclohexanone, octanol and phenyl trifluoromethyl sulfone) mixed with TBP have been studied at 288, 298 and 308 K, both as pristine solutions and pre-equilibrated with 4 mol\(\cdot \)L\(^{-1}\) nitric acid. In addition, the amount of acid in the organic phase and density change after pre-equilibration have been measured. The solubility of CyMe\(_{4}\)-BTBP increases with an increased temperature in all systems, especially after acid pre-equilibration. This increased CyMe\(_{4}\)-BTBP solubility after pre-equilibration could be explained by acid dissolution into the solvent. Comparing the \(\Delta H^{0}\) and \(\Delta S^{0}\) calculated using \(\Delta C_{p}\) with the same parameters derived from a linear fit indicates temperature independence of all three thermodynamic systems. The change in enthalpy is positive in all solutions.     

Determination of the Distribution of Cobalt-Chloro Complexes in Hydrochloric Acid Solutions at 298 K

Knowledge of the distribution of metal-chloro complexes in hydrochloric acid solutions is fundamental for understanding the anion-exchange reaction. Anion-exchange separation allows ultrahigh purification during hydrometallurgical processes. However, at present the exchange reactions are not understood in detail. A more sophisticated purification needs improvement of the anion-exchange separation process. The process is based upon anion-exchange reactions and the distribution of metal-chloro complexes. The present work deals with cobalt-chloro complexes which exhibit a beautiful deep blue color in a concentrated hydrochloric acid solution. The intensity of the absorption attributed to the deep blue color is so strong that it is hard to obtain meaningful results by factor analysis. Another absorption band was chosen to be used in factor analysis and the attempt was successful. The number of cobalt-chloro complexes in hydrochloric acid solutions was determined to be three, and the cumulative formation constants were fitted to absorption spectra decomposed by factor analysis. During the optimization of the cumulative formation constants, a modified Debye–Hückel model for estimation of the activity coefficients of \(\hbox {Cl}^{-}\) was used. It was found that there are three cobalt complexes \([\hbox {Co}^{\mathrm{II}}(\hbox {H}_{2}\hbox {O})_{6}]^{2+}\), \([\hbox {Co}^{\mathrm{II}}\hbox {Cl}(\hbox {H}_{2}\hbox {O})_{5}]^{+}\), and \([\hbox {Co}^{\mathrm{II}}\hbox {Cl}_{4}]^{2-}\), and the two cumulative formation constants were optimized such that \(\log _{10}\beta _{1} = -\,0.861\) and \(\log _{10}\beta _{4} = -\,7.40\). The geometries of the complexes are proposed by assignment of absorption bands using ligand field theory. A qualitative assessment of the relationship between the acquired distribution of cobalt-chloro complexes and the adsorption function of cobalt species from hydrochloric acid solutions to anion-exchange resin was made.     

Volumetric Investigations on Molecular Interactions of Glycine/<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-alanine in Aqueous Citric Acid Solutions at Different Temperatures

Apparent molar volumes \((\phi_{V})\) of glycine/l-alanine in water and in aqueous citric acid (CA) solutions of varying concentrations, i.e. (0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40 and 0.50) mol·kg^?1 were determined from density measurements at temperatures T?=?(288.15, 298.15, 308.15, 310.15 and 318.15) K and at atmospheric pressure. Limiting partial molar volumes \((\phi_V^{\text{o}})\) and their corresponding partial molar volumes of transfer \((\Delta_{\text{tr}} \phi_{V} )\) have been calculated from the \(\phi_{V}\) data. The negative \(\Delta_{\text{tr}} \phi_{V}\) values obtained for glycine/l-alanine from water to aqueous CA solutions indicate the dominance of hydrophilic–hydrophobic/hydrophobic–hydrophilic and hydrophobic–hydrophobic interactions over ion/hydrophilic–dipolar interactions. Further, pair and triplet interaction coefficients, i.e. \((V_{\text{AB}} )\;{\text{and}}\; (V_{\text{ABB}} )\) along with hydration number \((n_{\text{H}} )\) have also been calculated. The effect of temperature on the volumetric properties of glycine/l-alanine in water and in aqueous CA solutions has been determined from the limiting partial molar expansibilities \((\partial \phi_{V}^{\text{o}} /\partial T)_{p}\) and their second-order derivative \((\partial^{2} \phi_{V}^{\text{o}} /\partial T^{2} )_{{P}}\). The apparent specific volumes \((\nu_{\phi} )\) for glycine and l-alanine tend to approach sweet taste behavior both in the presence of water and in aqueous CA solutions. The \(\nu_{\phi}\) values for glycine/l-alanine increase with increase in concentration of CA at all temperatures studied. This reveals that CA helps in enhancing the sweet taste behavior of glycine/l-alanine which also supports the dominance of hydrophobic–hydrophobic interactions.     

Analysis on the removal of ammonia nitrogen using peroxymonosulfate activated by nanoparticulate zero-valent iron

Nanoparticulate zero-valent iron (Fe⁰) was used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to remove low concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the aqueous system. The removal process was investigated under various conditions. It was indicated that the removal of \({\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + }\) followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic model for the initial reactions. The removal rate increased with the ascending of pH and Fe⁰ dosage, while declined with the ascent of initial \({\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + }\) concentration. The existence of nitrogenous compounds would inhibit the reactions, especially for the compounds with carboxyl structure functional groups. The identification of free radical proved that \(\cdot {\text{SO}}_{4}^{ - }\) is the main radical in Fe⁰/PMS for the removal of ammonia nitrogen. The inorganic products including \({\text{NO}}_{2}^{ - }\), \({\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - }\), Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ were detected with the detailed mechanism proposed. The results demonstrated that Fe⁰/PMS process was more effective on ammonia removal compared to single Fe⁰, Fe⁰/persulfate and Fe⁰/H₂O₂. This study proposed a cost-effective process for \({\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + }\) removal at very low concentration of sulfate radicals.     

Base hydrolysis of tris(3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-bis(4-phenyl sulphonic acid)-1,2,4-triazine)iron(II) in aqueous,SDS and CTAB media: kinetic and mechanistic study

The kinetics and mechanism of base hydrolysis of tris(3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-bis(4-phenyl sulphonic acid)-1,2,4-triazine)iron(II), \({\text{Fe}}({\text{PDTS}})_{3}^{4 - }\) have been studied in aqueous, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) media at 25, 35 and 45 °C under pseudo-first-order conditions, i.e. \(\left[ {\text{OH}^{ - } } \right]\) ? \({\text{Fe}}({\text{PDTS}})_{3}^{4 - }\). The reaction is first order each in \({\text{Fe}}({\text{PDTS}})_{3}^{4 - }\) and hydroxide ion. The rate increases with increasing ionic strength in aqueous and SDS media, whereas this parameter has little effect in CTAB. In SDS medium, the rate-determining step involves the reaction between \(\left[ {\text{OH}^{ - } } \right]\) and \({\text{Fe}}({\text{PDTS}})_{3}^{4 - }\), whereas in CTAB medium, it involves reaction between a neutral ion pair, {\({\text{Fe}}({\text{PDTS}})_{3}^{4 - }\)·4CTA⁺} and \(\left[ {\text{OH}^{ - } } \right]\) ions. The specific rate constants and thermodynamic parameters (E _a, ΔH ^#, ΔS ^# and ΔG _35°C ^# ) have been evaluated in all three media. The near equal values of ΔG _35°C ^# obtained in aqueous and SDS media suggest that these reactions occur essentially by the same mechanism. Slightly lower ΔG _35°C ^# values in CTAB medium can be attributed to a higher concentration of reactants in the Stern layer. The reaction is inhibited in SDS medium but catalysed in CTAB. The former can be attributed to the anionic surfactant creating more repellent space between the reactants. Catalysis in CTAB medium is ascribed to electrophilic and hydrophilic interactions between hydroxide ion/substrate with the cationic Stern layer, resulting in increased local concentrations of both reactants.     

Thermodynamic analysis of the structure of aqueous solutions of C<Subscript>12</Subscript>–C<Subscript>18</Subscript> hydrocarbons

Thermodynamic cycles including the increments \(\Delta G_{CH_2 }^0 , \Delta H_{CH_2 }^0 \), and \(T\Delta S_{CH_2 }^0 \) were constructed for dissolution, evaporation, hydrophobic hydration of C₅–C₉ hydrocarbons, and transfer from vapor (\(\Delta G_{CH_2 }^0 \) = ?0.7 kJ·mol^?1, \(\Delta H_{CH_2 }^0 \) = 2.9 kJ·mol^?1, \(T\Delta S_{CH_2 }^0 \) = 3.6 kJ·mol^?1) and water (\(\Delta G_{CH_2 }^0 \) = ?1.4 kJ·mol^?1, \(\Delta H_{CH_2 }^0 \) = 5.8 kJ·mol^?1, \(T\Delta S_{CH_2 }^0 \) = 7.2 kJ·mol^?1) to micelles of C₁₂–C₁₈ hydrocarbons. The formation of bistable hydrated micelles of C₁₂–C₁₈ is explained by a transition between the order-disorder states in an assembly of small (nano) systems of water. The extensive parameters of small systems and critical phenomena predicted by fluctuation theory are discussed.     

Redox behavior of $${\text{VO}}^{2 + } / {\text{VO}}_{2}^{ + }$$ as a simulant of $${\text{NpO}}_{2}^{ + } / {\text{NpO}}_{2}^{2 + }$$NpO2+/NpO22+ in boiling nitric acid solution

To evaluate the redox behavior of \({\text{VO}}^{2 + } / {\text{VO}}_{2}^{ + }\) as a simulant of \({\text{NpO}}_{2}^{ + } / {\text{NpO}}_{2}^{2 + }\) in boiling nitric acid solution, i.e., typical operating conditions for nuclear fuel reprocessing plants, oxidation rate measurements for VO²⁺ in boiling and non-boiling nitric acid solutions, thermodynamic calculations, and kinetic calculations were performed. The results indicated that the apparent oxidation rate of VO²⁺ to \({\text{VO}}_{2}^{ + }\) is accelerated by a decrease in \({\text{NO}}_{2}^{ - }\) and HNO₂ concentrations owing to the boiling phenomena of nitric acid solution.     

Hierarchical enumeration of Kekulé’s benzenes,Ladenburg’s benzenes,Dewar’s benzenes,and benzvalenes by using combined-permutation representations

The group hierarchy for each skeleton of ligancy 6 is formulated to be: point group (PG \({\varvec{G}}_{\sigma }\)) \(\subseteq \) RS-stereoisomeric group (RS-SIG \({\varvec{G}}_{\sigma \widetilde{\sigma }\widehat{I}}\)) \(\subseteq \) stereoisomeric group (SIG \(\widetilde{{\varvec{G}}}_{\sigma \widetilde{\sigma }\widehat{I}}\)) \(\subseteq \) isoskeletomeric group (ISG \(\widetilde{\widetilde{{\varvec{G}}}}_{\sigma \widetilde{\sigma }\widehat{I}}\) = \({\varvec{S}}^{[6]}_{\sigma \widehat{I}}\)), where we start from the PG \({\varvec{G}}_{\sigma }\) = \({\varvec{D}}_{6h}\) for the Kekulé benzene skeleton, from the PG \({\varvec{G}}_{\sigma }\) = \({\varvec{D}}_{3h}\) for the Ladenburg benzene skeleton, from the PG \({\varvec{G}}_{\sigma }\) = \({\varvec{C}}_{2v}\) for the Dewar benzene skeleton, or from the PG \({\varvec{G}}_{\sigma }\) = \({\varvec{C}}_{2v}\) for the benzvalene skeleton. After these groups are constructed as combined-permutation representations, the calculation of the respective cycle indices with chirality fittingness (CI-CFs) and the introduction of ligand-inventory functions are conducted to give generation functions for 3D-based enumerations (for PGs and RS-SIGs) and 2D-based enumerations (for SIGs and ISGs). The enumeration results are discussed by means of isomer-classification diagrams, in which equivalence classes under enantiomerism (for PGs), RS-stereoisomerism (for RS-SIGs), stereoisomerism (for SIGs), and isoskeletomerism (for ISGs) are illustrated schematically. The implicit connotations of the conventional terms “skeletal isomerism”, “positional isomerism”, and “constitutional isomerism” are discussed, where the effects of the concept of isoskeletomerism are emphasized.     

Dependence of the density of solutions of alkali metal halides on the composition of methylpyrrolidone-water mixed solvents

The densities of solutions of alkali metal halides in methylpyrrolidone (MP)-water mixtures were measured at 298.15 K over the entire range of mixed solvent compositions. The standard partial molar volumes of the electrolytes \(\overline {V_2^ \circ } \) were calculated. The \(\overline {V_2^ \circ } \) values of alkali metal halides in MP-H₂O mixtures were related linearly to the \(\overline {V_2^ \circ } \) values in aqueous solutions. These dependences were used to determine the standard partial molar volumes of ions \(\overline {V_i^ \circ } \) in the mixtures studied. The standard partial molar volumes of transfer of the ions from water into MP-water mixtures were calculated.     

Deposition Morphology and Magnetism of Co,Pt Adatoms and Small CoPt Adclusters on Ni(100) Substrate

Theoretical calculations of Co\(_{n-x}\)Pt\(_x\) (n = 1–3; \(x \le n\)) clusters on Ni(100) surface for their spin and orbital magnetic moments, as well as the magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE), are performed by using the density-functional theory (DFT) method including a self-consistent treatment of spin–orbit coupling (SOC). The results reveal that the ferromagnetic Co atoms in intra Co\(_{n-x}\)Pt\(_x\) adclusters couple ferromagnetically to their underlayer Ni atoms. The predominant inter-interactions between Co adatoms and Ni surface with the partly filled 3d band, together with the secondary intra-interactions between Co adatoms and Pt adatoms with fully filled 5d band, lead to a strongly quenched orbital moment (\(\mu _{\mathrm{{orb}}}^{\mathrm{{Co}}}\) = 0.18–0.14 \(\mu _B\); \(\mu _{\mathrm{{orb}}}^{\mathrm{{Pt}}} \approx \) 0.24–0.19 \(\mu _B\)) but a less quenched spin moment (\(\mu _{\mathrm{{spin}}}^{\mathrm{{Co}}} \approx \) 2.0 \(\mu _B\); \(\mu _{\mathrm{{spin}}}^{\mathrm{{Pt}}} \approx \) 0.35 \( \mu _B\)). The MAEs of CoPt adclusters exhibit a strong dependence on alloying effect rather than size effect, which is direly proportional to SOC strength and orbital moment anisotropy. The oxidations of CoPt clusters always reduce orbital magnetic moments and consequently decrease the corresponding MAEs.     

Crystallization study of Se<Subscript>86</Subscript>Sb<Subscript>14</Subscript> glass

The present study concerns with high-accuracy determination of crystallization activation energy (\(E_{\text{c}}\)), the frequency factor (\(k_{0}\)), the kinetic exponent (n) for Se₈₆Sb₁₄ glass. Different three methods have been used to investigate the \(E_{\text{c}} \,{\text{and}}\,k_{0 }\) values. It was found that the deduced value of k ₀ based on Kissinger’s method is too small compared with the others. Therefore, it can’t be used to investigate k ₀ value. Where \(E_{\text{c}} \,{\text{and}}\,k_{0}\) values are already known, the overall reaction rate \(k = k_{0 } { \exp }\left( { - E_{\text{c}} /\left( {R \cdot T} \right)} \right)\) at any temperature can be calculated. Now, Avrami’s equation (\(\chi = 1 - { \exp }\left( { - \left( {kt} \right)^{\text{n}} } \right)\)) contains only one unknown which is the kinetic exponent (n). This method enables us to determine n value without any approximations. The values’ crystallization fraction \((\chi_{\text{th}} )\) that theoretically calculated is the same as that experimentally investigated \((\chi_{{{ \exp } .}} )\).     

Aromaticity of Bare Iridium Trimers and Ir3M0/+ and $$\rm{Ir}_3M_2^{+/3+}$$ (M = Li,Na, K,and Be,Ca) Bimetallic Clusters

The structural stabilities, bonding nature, electronic properties, and aromaticity of bare iridium trimers \(\rm{Ir}_3^{+/-}\) with different geometries and spin multiplicities are studied at the DFT/B3LYP level of theory. The ground state of the \(\rm{Ir}_3^{+}\) cation is found to be the ³A₂ (C_2v) triplet state and the ground state of the \(\rm{Ir}_3^{-}\) anion the ⁵A₂ (C_2v) quintet state. A detailed molecular orbital (MO) analysis indicates that the ground-state \(\rm{Ir}_3^{+}\) ion (C_2v, ³A₂) possesses double (σ and partial δ) aromaticity as well as the ground-state \(\rm{Ir}_3^{-}\) ion (C_2v, ⁵A₂). The multiple d-orbital aromaticity is responsible for the totally delocalized three-center metal-metal bond of the triangular Ir₃ framework. \(\rm{Ir}_3^{-}\) (C_2v, ¹A₁) structure motif is perfectly preserved in pyramidal Ir₃M^0/+ (C_s, ¹A′) and bipyramidal \(\rm{Ir}_3M_2^{+/3+}\) (C_2v, ¹A₁) (M = Li, Na, K and Be, Ca) bimetallic clusters which also possess the corresponding d-orbital aromatic characters.     

Lego-like spheres and tori

Given a connected surface \({\mathbb {F}}^2\) with Euler characteristic \(\chi \) and three integers \(b>a\ge 1<k\), an \((\{a,b\};k)\)-\({\mathbb {F}}^2\) is a \({\mathbb {F}}^2\)-embedded graph, having vertices of degree only k and only a- and b-gonal faces. The main case are (geometric) fullerenes (5, 6; 3)-\({\mathbb {S}}^2\). By \(p_a\), \(p_b\) we denote the number of a-gonal, b-gonal faces. Call an \((\{a,b\};k)\)-map lego-admissible if either \(\frac{p_b}{p_a}\), or \(\frac{p_a}{p_b}\) is integer. Call it lego-like if it is either \(ab^f\)-lego map, or \(a^fb\)-lego map, i.e., the face-set is partitioned into \(\min (p_a,p_b)\) isomorphic clusters, legos, consisting either one a-gon and \(f=\frac{p_b}{p_a}\,b\)-gons, or, respectively, \(f=\frac{p_a}{p_b}\,a\)-gons and one b-gon; the case \(f=1\) we denote also by ab. Call a \((\{a,b\};k)\)-map elliptic, parabolic or hyperbolic if the curvature \(\kappa _b=1+\frac{b}{k}-\frac{b}{2}\) of b-gons is positive, zero or negative, respectively. There are 14 lego-like elliptic \((\{a,b\};k)\)-\({\mathbb {S}}^2\) with \((a,b)\ne (1,2)\). No \((\{1,3\};6)\)-\({\mathbb {S}}^2\) is lego-admissible. For other 7 families of parabolic \((\{a,b\};k)\)-\({\mathbb {S}}^2\), each lego-admissible sphere with \(p_a\le p_b\) is \(a^fb\) and an infinity (by Goldberg–Coxeter operation) of \(ab^f\)-spheres exist. The number of hyperbolic \(ab^f\,(\{a,b\};k)\)-\({\mathbb {S}}^2\) with \((a,b)\ne (1,3)\) is finite. Such \(a^f b\)-spheres with \(a\ge 3\) have \((a,k)=(3,4),(3,5),(4,3),(5,3)\) or (3, 3); their number is finite for each b, but infinite for each of 5 cases (a, k). Any lego-admissible \((\{a,b\};k)\)-\({\mathbb {S}}^2\) with \(p_b=2\le a\) is \(a^f b\). We list, explicitly or by parameters, lego-admissible \((\{a,b\};k)\)-maps among: hyperbolic spheres, spheres with \(a\in \{1,2\}\), spheres with \(p_b\in \{2,\frac{p_a}{2}\}\), Goldberg–Coxeter’s spheres and \((\{a,b\};k)\)-tori. We present extensive computer search of lego-like spheres: 7 parabolic (\(p_b\)-dependent) families, basic examples of all 5 hyperbolic \(a^fb\) (b-dependent) families with \(a\ge 3\), and lego-like \((\{a,b\};3)\)-tori.