Production of <Superscript>37</Superscript>Ar in The University of Texas TRIGA reactor facility

The detection of ³⁷Ar is important for On-Site Inspections (OSI) for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty monitoring. In an underground nuclear explosion this radionuclide is produced by ⁴⁰Ca(n,α)³⁷Ar reaction in surrounding soil and rock. With a half-life of 35 days, ³⁷Ar provides a signal useful for confirming the location of an underground nuclear event. An ultra-low-background proportional counter developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is used to detect ³⁷Ar, which decays via electron capture. The irradiation of Ar gas at natural enrichment in the 3L facility within the Mark II TRIGA reactor facility at The University of Texas at Austin provides a source of ³⁷Ar for the calibration of the detector. The ⁴¹Ar activity is measured by the gamma activity using an HPGe detector after the sample is removed from the core. Using the ⁴¹Ar/³⁷Ar production ratio and the ⁴¹Ar activity, the amount of ³⁷Ar created is calculated. The ⁴¹Ar decays quickly (half-life of 109.34 min) leaving a radioactive sample of high purity ³⁷Ar and only trace levels of ³⁹Ar.     

Possible overestimation of the external standard quench parameter on Wallac 1220 Quantulus™ with high energetic beta-emitters

The 1220 Quantulus is equipped with an ¹⁵²Eu external source used to determine an external standard quench parameter SQP(E). The relationship between ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y counting efficiency and SQP(E) was found linear in a defined range of SQP(E) values. This function was fixed after many counting experiences made with ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y standards. The sasme equation is used for the measurement of ⁹⁰Sr in environmental samples. The first goal of this paper is to objectify an overestimation of the SQP(E) when high energetic beta-emitters like ⁹⁰Y are present (1 to 4% in routine conditions). The second one is to show how this artefact could induce a bias in the calculation of ⁹⁰Sr activity in environmental samples. The median of this overestimation is estimated around 6%. Another approach using ⁸⁵Sr standard is suggested to avoid this overestimation. Provided the chemical composition — and thus the quenching — is similar for the two standards, the counting efficiency measured with the ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y standard could be related to the SQP(E) value of the ⁸⁵Sr standard. Indeed this one appears to be more robust regarding to the range of activity and to the counting time of the external source.     

The heat of mixing electrolytes: The cross-square rule in the solvent N-methylacetamide

The six possible heats of mixing of the system Na⁺, Pr₄N⁺?Br^?, I^? have been measured at 35°C in the solvent N-methylacetamide at an ionic strength of 0.5. The cross-square rule of T. F. Young^(1,2) does not hold accurately, and there are strong attractive forces between a cation and an anion. The largest effect in the heats of mixing is the formation of tetra-n-propylammonium iodide interactions. The data is compared to that of the Na⁺,K⁺?Cl^?,NO ₃ ^? system in water.     

40Ar/39Ar — Alter eines Basits der Ostantarktis

The⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar technique is an analytical variation of the K–Ar dating method. A known fraction of the³⁹K in a sample is converted to³⁹Ar by irradiation with fast neutrons. In an incremental heating experiment, the argon is released from the sample fractionally by stepwise heating. The result is a series of apparent ages.⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age spectrum was determined for the sample Oase Vestfold. The minimum of the saddle-shaped age spectrum gives 1.0 billion years.     

Isotopieeffekte bei der Bildung von Natriumkryptaten

The distribution of activity of²²Na⁺ and²⁴Na⁺ in the heterogeneous equilibrium of a cationic exchange resin and the aqueous or methanolic solution was measured in order to evaluate an isotope effect. Using Li⁺-charged ion exchanger in methanol, an enrichment of²⁴Na was observed. If bicyclic aminopolyethers (221, 222) are present in the solution, this effect is not seen. This means that the complexing agents above carry out an enrichment themselves, as could be shown by calculating the corresponding elementary separation factor. The enrichment of²⁴Na on the ion exchanger was measured directly by using Cs⁺-charged exchangers. The analytical method applied is described, and the limits of error are discussed.      

Competition between dopants on redox reaction of polypyrrole

The surface of PPy prepared in a multiple electrolyte solution such as NaDS-NaClO₄ in H₂O shows a coarser structure than that of the polymer prepared in a single electrolyte system. DS⁻ with a large aliphatic chain is used as a dopant in preparation of PPy. The dopant is trapped in PPy when the polymer is reduced in an aqueous system. A cation Na⁺ or K⁺ is inserted into the polymer to balance the free DS⁻ liberated form and remained in it on reduction. PPy doped with DS⁻ shows a high degree of redox reactivity in the system of TBADS-AN but a poor stability in repeated redox process. The degree and rate of redox reactivity enhance when an aqueous solution of NaClO₄ is used as an electrolyte system. Both Na⁺ and ClO₄⁻take part in the redox reaction and the reduction process is intense at only one current potential.     

Effect of error in the unperturbed wavefunction on electric polarizabilities and shielding factors of atoms. Application of double perturbation theory

The polarizability and the shielding factor of the hydrogen atom are calculated by using an approximate hamiltonian and an approximate unperturbed wavefunction Φ^(0,0) with one parameter. The double perturbation theory is applied for the calculation. The accuracy of Φ^(0,0) is changed by varying the parameter. When the error in Φ^(0,0) is small, the geometric approximation is best among various approximations investigated.     

Spin densities,ligand exchange and 13C relaxation in aniline-Ni II complexes

The electron spin distribution in aniline and alkylaniline-Ni(AA)₂ complexes is deduced from ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁴N contact shifts. The nitrogen hybridization state is given by the experimental values of a_NH^H/a^N compared to the results of INDO calculations. The ¹³C relaxation times in complexed 4-ethyl aniline indicates an N-Ni distance of 2 A and an electron relaxation time T₁ of the order of 10^?10 s.     

Electrochemically Driven Swinging of a Nitrobenzyl Pendant Arm in a Nickel Scorpionand Complex

A radical anion −NO₂^.− is formed upon an electrochemically reversible one-electron reduction of the square-planar Ni^II complex of N-nitrobenzylcyclam. The −NO₂^.− group goes to occupy an axial position of the metal ion, thus establishing a significant electronic interaction with the metal center. In particular, the ESR spectrum supports the occurrence of an electron transfer from −NO₂^.− to the metal, which therefore presents a significant Ni^I character. On re-oxidation, the nitrobenzyl side chain detaches and the Ni^II complex is restored, providing an example of a fully reversible redox driven intramolecular motion.     

Preparation of silver nanoparticles in aqueous solutions in the presence of carbonate ions as stabilizers

Silver nanoparticles are prepared by reducing Ag⁺ ions with sodium borohydride in aqueous solutions containing carbonate ions (5 × 10⁻⁵−1 × 10⁻² mol l⁻¹). It is established that carbonate ions represent an efficient stabilizer that provides nanoparticles with electrostatic protection via the formation of an electrical double layer. The maximum stability of a silver dispersion is observed at a carbonate ion concentration of 1 × 10⁻³ mol l⁻¹. The average size of silver nanoparticles is 10.0 ± 2.5 nm. The formation kinetics of silver nanoparticles is described by an equation for a first-order reaction with a rate constant of 2.3 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ (±20%).     

The luminescence of mercury-like ions in and the crystal structure of SrLaBO4

The crystal structure of SrLaBO₄ contains triangular borate groups. The luminescence of mercury-like ions (Sn²⁺, Sb³⁺, Tl⁺, Pb²⁺, Bi³⁺) in this host lattice is characterized by a large Stokes shift. The Pb²⁺ is a very efficient activator at room temperature. The luminescent properties are discussed in terms of earlier models related to an off-center position of the metal ion. The emission of Eu³⁺ shows that the crystal structure has a disordered nature and confirms an off-center position. Energy transfer from Pb²⁺ to Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ was studied and found to be inefficient.     

Ring–Opening of a Carbohydrate Triflate to form an Acyclic Alkene

ABSTRACT

The ease with which carbohydrate trifluoromethanesulfonates (triflates) undergo substitution reactions with a wide variety of nucleophiles¹ has allowed these compounds to play an increasingly important role in synthetic carbohydrate chemistry.² The exceptional reactivity of triflates also creates an opportunity for unusual reactions to occur;³ for example, triflyl group migration⁴ and internal displacement by very weak nucleophiles⁵ both have been observed. Also, carbohydrate triflates have been used as alkylating agents in oligosaccharide synthesis.⁶ In this communication a new triflate reaction is described. This new process is one in which departure of the triflyloxy group is accompanied by ring opening to give an acyclic alkene.     

New developments in the production of theranostic pairs of radionuclides

A brief historical background of the development of the theranostic approach in nuclear medicine is given and seven theranostic pairs of radionuclides, namely ^44gSc/⁴⁷Sc, ⁶⁴Cu/⁶⁷Cu, ⁸³Sr/⁸⁹Sr, ⁸⁶Y/⁹⁰Y, ¹²⁴I/¹³¹I, ¹⁵²Tb/¹⁶¹Tb and ¹⁵²Tb/¹⁴⁹Tb, are considered. The first six pairs consist of a positron and a β^?-emitter whereas the seventh pair consists of a positron and an α-particle emitter. The decay properties of all those radionuclides are briefly mentioned and their production methodologies are discussed. The positron emitters ⁶⁴Cu, ⁸⁶Y and ¹²⁴I are commonly produced in sufficient quantities via the (p,n) reaction on the respective highly enriched target isotope. A clinical scale production of the positron emitter ^44gSc has been achieved via the generator route as well as via the (p,n) reaction, but further development work is necessary. The positron emitters ⁸³Sr and ¹⁵²Tb are under development. Among the therapeutic radionuclides, ⁸⁹Sr, ⁹⁰Y and ¹³¹I are commercially available and ¹⁶¹Tb can also be produced in sufficient quantity at a nuclear reactor. Great efforts are presently underway to produce ⁴⁷Sc and ⁶⁷Cu via neutron, photon and charged particle induced reactions. The radionuclide ¹⁴⁹Tb is unique because it is an α-particle emitter. The present method of production of ¹⁵²Tb and ¹⁴⁹Tb involves the use of the spallation process in combination with an on-line mass separator. The role of some emerging irradiation facilities in the production of special radionuclides is discussed.     

Dissociation and coordinating ability of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8-hydroxyquinoline in aqueous solution

The state of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8-hydroxyquinoline is studied spectrophotometrically in the near-UV and visible regions at different pH in an aqueous solution in the presence and absence of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ cations. The dissociation constant (pK ₁ ≈ 5.6 (293 K)) is (293 K)) is estimated from the pH-metric data. The stability of the complexes formed decreases in the series Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ ≥ Cd²⁺. The influence of tetrahydro atoms on the dissociation, complexation, and change in the state of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8-hydroxyquinoline in an aqueous solution is discussed.     

Determination of chlorite at very low levels by using differential pulse polarography

A method is reported for the determination of μgl^?1 levels of chlorite by using differential pulse polarography. The electrochemical reduction of chlorite was studied between pH 3.7 and 14 and in an ionic strength range of 0.05–3.0 M. The optimum conditions are pH 4.1–4.4 and an ionic strength of 0.45 M. The current under these conditions is diffusion-controlled and is a linear function of chlorite concentration ranging from 2.77×10^?7 to 2.80×10^?4 M (19 μgl^?1 to 19 mg l^?1). The imprecision is better than ±1.0% and ±3.4% at concentrations of 2.87×10^?5 M and 1.74×10^?6M, respectively, with a detection limit of 1×10^?7 M (7μgl^?1). An interference study and the application of this method for determining chlorite in drinking water are reported.     

Study of the reduction of airborne222Rn through chemical stabilization of226Ra in uranium mill tailings

In an attempt to decrease the emanating power of uranium and radium mill tailings, the tailings²²⁶Ra⁺² were incorporated onto/into an alkaline earth sulfate crystal lattice. The difference in emanating power of aged and fresh crystals spiked with²²⁶Ra⁺² solution to be adsorbed and incorporated into the sulfate crystal lattice was compared. The tailings were treated in three different slurries. The results indicate that treatment of tailings (by slurry) with BaSO₄ is an effective method for reducing the emanating power of mill tailings when either deionized or HNO₃ is used for a transfer medium of²²⁶Ra⁺².     

Nouveaux complexes de structure η4-trimethylenemethane obtenus a partir du tetracarbonylferrate de sodium par insertion d'allene dans une liaison metalcarbone

The mechanism of formation of α,β-unsaturated ketones in the reaction of disodium tetracarbonylferrate, with an alkyl bromide and allene, is investigated; new intermediate complexes are isolated. In the anion resulting from insertion of allene into an ironacyl bond the negative charge is delocalised over the metallic center and the organic ligand and confirms an η⁴-trimethylenemethane type behaviour. Reactions with (CH₃)₃SiCl and proton yield neutral η⁴-trimethylenemethane complex. In the case of proton a subsequent sigmatropic shift yields a η⁴-heterodiene complexe. The anion is isolated as its ionic cristalline PPN⁺ salt.     

Determination of D0o(BaI) from the chemiluminescent reaction Ba + I2

A study is made of the visible chemiluminescence resulting from the reaction of an atomic beam of barium with I_Z under single-collision conditions (～ 10^?4 torr). The resulting spectrum consists of the BaI C²Π → X²Σ emission on top of an underlying “continuum”. The variation of the BaI emission intensity with Ba and I₂ flux is investigated, and it is concluded that the reaction is bimolecular. The total phenomenological cross section for barium atom removal is determined to be 86 A², which agrees well with the total reactive cross section calculated assuming an electron jump mechanism. The short wavelength cutoff is identified as the transition from the υ′ = 41 level of the BaI C²Π_{$\text{3}\text{2}$} state to the υ′ = 41 level of the BaI X²Σ state. A strict lower bound D^o₀(BaI) ? 102 ± 0.7 kcal/mole for the ground state dissociation energy of BaI is obtained from this short wavelength cutoff. The value D^o₀(BaI) = 102 ± 1 kcal/mole is recommended, where the error estimate includes the possible contribution from the final relative translational energy of the products.     

A rapid method for the spectrophotometric determination of palladium(II) and osmium(VIII)

Propionyl promazine phosphate is proposed as a new reagent for the rapid spectrophotometric determination of microgram amounts of Pd(II) and Os(VII). PPP instantaneously forms an orange-red 1:1 complex with Pd(II) in sodium acetate-hydrochloric acid buffer of pH 0.8 to 4.0 at room temperature. The reagent also forms an orange-red radical cation with Os(VIII) in 0.5 to 2.0 M hydrochloric acid. The Pd-PPP complex exhibits an absorption maximum at 490–500 nm with molar absorptivity of 7.1 × 10³ liter mol^?1 cm^?1. The Os-PPP radical cation has an absorption maximum at 505–515 nm with molar absorptivity of 2.21 × 10⁴ liters mol^?1 cm^?1. The Sandell sensitivity is 0.022 μg/cm² (Pd) and 0.008 μg/ cm² (Os). Beer's law is valid over the concentration range 0.2 to 21 ppm (Pd) and 0.2 to 4.2 ppm (Os). The proposed method offers the advantages of simplicity, rapidity, and without the need for heating or extraction. The reagent is used for the determination of Pd in the synthetic mixtures corresponding to Pd alloys used in jewelery and Os in osmiridium alloy.     

Arginine Side-Chain Hydrogen Exchange: Quantifying Arginine Side-Chain Interactions in Solution

The rate with which labile backbone hydrogen atoms in proteins exchange with the solvent has long been used to probe protein interactions in aqueous solutions. Arginine, an essential amino acid found in many interaction interfaces, is capable of an impressive range of interactions via its guanidinium group. The hydrogen exchange rate of the guanidinium hydrogens therefore becomes an important measure to quantify side-chain interactions. Herein we present an NMR method to quantify the hydrogen exchange rates of arginine side-chain ¹H^ϵ protons and thus present a method to gauge the strength of arginine side-chain interactions. The method employs ¹³C-detection and the one-bond deuterium isotope shift observed for ¹⁵N^ϵ to generate two exchanging species in ¹H₂O/²H₂O mixtures. An application to the protein T4 Lysozyme is shown, where protection factors calculated from the obtained exchange rates correlate well with the interactions observed in the crystal structure. The methodology presented provides an important step towards characterising interactions of arginine side-chains in enzymes, in phase separation, and in protein interaction interfaces in general.