Quasi diabatic CASSCF state functions

A new method to determine quasi diabatic (QD) CASSCF states is presented. The adiabatic states are subjected to a unitary transformation resulting from diagonalization of a state-selection operator. The latter is constructed from the overlap of the adiabatic states with a suitable set of reference states. The multi-state (MS) CASPT2 method is used to account for the dynamical correlation effects in an approach where the QD-CASSCF wave functions are used as reference states. The procedure is applied to avoided crossings in excited states of BeH, LiO and ozone. The advantages of the proposed formulation are discussed.     

Synthesis and mechanical properties of mechanically alloyed Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystalline composites

Al-Cu-Fe alloys were prepared by mechanical alloying starting from elemental powders in a high-energy planetary ball mill. Three different alloy compositions with the same c _Cu : c _Fe ratio of 2:1 but different aluminium contents, that is Al₅₅Cu₃₀Fe₁₅, Al₆₃Cu₂₅Fe₁₂ and Al₇₀Cu₂₀Fe₁₀, were investigated. A sequence of solid-state reactions resulting in quasicrystalline phase formation in Al₆₃Cu₂₅Fe₁₂ proceeds during milling and during annealing of the as-milled powder. These reactions were studied by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. In order to form an aluminium-matrix composite, Al₆₃Cu₂₅Fe₁₂ single-phase quasicrystalline powders were blended with different amounts of aluminium. In an intermediate milling step the powder blend was homogenized. The powders were consolidated by hot extrusion. The bulk samples revealed a homogeneous dispersion of the particles in the matrix but a rather heterogeneous size distribution. The mechanical properties at room temperature were tested by constant-rate compression tests. A rule-of-mixtures dependence of the ultimate strength and the yield strength on the volume fraction of the quasicrystalline particles was found.     

The lowest electronic states of Ne2 +, Ar2 + and Kr2 +: comparison of theory and experiment

Non-relativistic configuration interaction (CI) ab initio calculations using large basis sets have been carried out to determine the potential curves of the first electronic states of Ne₂ ⁺, Ar₂ ⁺ and Kr₂ ⁺. The spin—orbit interaction was treated assuming that the spin—orbit coupling constant is independent of the internuclear separation (R). For Ar₂ ⁺, calculated dissociation energies and equilibrium separations are in good agreement with experimental results. The calculations for Ne₂ ⁺ suggest that the lowest vibrational level of the I(1/2u) ground state observed by threshold photoelectron spectroscopy by Hall et al. [1995, J. Phys. B: At. molec. opt. Phys., 28, 2435] and assigned to either ν = 0 or ν = 2 actually corresponds to ν = 4. The calculations also predict the I(1/2g) state of Ne₂ ⁺ and Ar₂ ⁺ to possess a double-well potential and that of Kr₂ ⁺ to be repulsive at short range and to only possess a single shallow well at large internuclear separation. The ab initio calculations provide an explanation for the observation made by Yoshii et al. [2002, J. chem. Phys., 117, 1517] that Kr₂ ⁺ and Xe₂ ⁺ dissociate after photoemission from the II(1/2u) state to the I(1/2g) state whereas Ar₂ ⁺ does not.     

A Study of Adsorption of Water Vapour on Wool under Static and Dynamic Conditions

Adsorption of water vapour on wool provides not only textile comfort, but also convenience in transportation due to increase in its bulk density. The adsorption and desorption isotherms of water vapour for wool were determined by both volumetric technique using a Coulter Omnisorp 100CX instrument and gravimetric method employing a Cahn 2000 electronic microbalance. Adsorption isotherm fitting to B.E.T. model and hysteresis on desorption was observed. The average effective diffusion coefficient of water in wool was found to be 8.4 × 10^-14 m²s^-1 at 25°C from gravimetric data. The effects of packing height and air velocity on the breakthrough curves were also investigated in the wool packed columns. For pseudo first order model, k values changing between 0.33 × 10^-6 – 69 × 10^-6 s^-1 was obtained for 2.2–6.4 cm s^-1 air velocity and 0.05–0.20 m packing height ranges.     

Structural and spectral studies of N-trans-cinnamylidene-m-toluidine and N-trans-cinnamylidene-m-chloroaniline

N-trans-cinnamylidene-m-toluidine (1) C₁₆H₁₅N, and N-trans-cinnamylidene-m-chloroaniline (2) C₁₅H₁₂NCl form isomorphous crystals which are monoclinic, space group P2_l/c, with unit cell dimensionsa=5.967(2),b=13.793(3),c=15.048(5) Å, =91.97(3)° anda=5.868(2),b=13.788(4),c=15.191(4) Å, =91.87(3)°, respectively. The single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of the title compounds revealtrans structures. Ring (A) C_10–15 and ring (B) C_1–6, are practically planar in both structures with dihedral angels of 61.3(3) and 63.6(2)°, respectively.¹H nmr, u.v. and i.r. spectra are also reported.     

Intramolecular hydrogen bonding and tautomerism in N-(3-pyridil)-2-oxo-1-naphthylidenemethylamine

N-(3-pyridil)-2-oxo-1-naphthylidenemethylamine (C₁₆H₁₂N₂O) was studied by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, and UV–visible techniques and X-ray diffraction methods. The UV–visible spectrum of the compound was investigated in solutions effect polarity. The polarity of the some solvents was modifierly the additional (CF₃COOH) and [(C₂H₅)₃N]. The compound is in tautomeric equilibrium (phenol-imine O–H···N and keto-amine O···H–N forms) in polar and nonpolar solvents. The keto-amine form is observed in basic solutions of DMSO, ethanol, chloroform, benzene, cyclohexane, and in acidic solutions of chloroform and benzene, but not in acidic solutions of DMSO and ethanol. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic, space group P2₁/a with a = 7.010(5) Å, b = 13.669(4) Å, c = 12.764(4) Å, = 101.23(4)°, V = 1199.6(10) ų, Z = 4, D _c = 1.375 g/cm³, (Mo K) = 0.088 mm^–1, R = 0.045 for 1658 reflections [I > 2(I)]. The title compound is not planar two Schiff base moieties A [C1–C11, O1] and B [N1, C12, C13, N2, C14, C15, C16] are inclined at an angle of 27.4(1)° reflecting mainly the twist about C12–N1 [C11–C12–N1–C13, 29.7(2)°]. There is a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond (O–H···N) of 2.529(2) Å.     

Keto–enol tautomerism, conformations, and structure of 1-[N-(4-chlorophenyl)]aminomethylidene-2(1H)naphthalenone

1-[N-(4-chlorophenyl)]aminomethylidene-2(1H)naphthalenone (C₁₇H₁₂NOCl) (1) was synthesized and the crystal structure was determined. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 4.761(3) Å, b = 20.347(1) Å, c = 13.773(2) Å, = 92.89(3)°, V = 1332.4(3) ų, Z = 4, D _c = 1.404 g cm^–3, (Mo K) = 0.28 mm^–1, and R = 0.036 for 2680 reflections [I > 2(I)]. Molecule 1 is not planar, and the dihedral angle between the naphthaldeyde plane A [C1–C11, 01] and the 4-chloroaniline plane B [C12–C17, C11, N1] is 20.1(3)°. An intramolecular hydrogen bond occurs between the hydroxyl oxygen and imine nitrogen atoms [2.528(3) Å]. IR, ¹H NMR, and UV measurements and AM1 semiempirical quantum mechanical calculations support the keto form found in the X-ray structure.     

Surface Characterization and the Gas Response of a Mixed,Fe2O3?Fe2(MoO4)3, Oxide to Low Concentrations of H2S in Air

The preparation and H₂S sensing potential of thick‐films of a mixed oxide, Fe₂O₃? Fe₂(MoO₄)₃, were investigated. A Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) study confirmed the existence of sulfur species at the surface after the interaction of H₂S gas with the mixed oxide. The starting material, β‐FeMoO₄, was synthesized by a solvothermal method, followed by supercritical drying. Heat treatment of this material (oxidation) above 500 °C resulted in the formation of Fe₂O₃? Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ mixed oxide, where Fe₂O₃ was a by‐product. An increase in the conductivity of the films in the presence of H₂S gas (concentration range 1–20 ppm in air) was observed with the simultaneous formation of water and sulfide ions at 225 °C. An improvement of the H₂S sensing potential is obtained, using an intermediate short heat treatment at higher temperature (500 °C) in the beginning of recovery (desorption) phase. This intermediate high temperature, used before every expected exposure to H₂S gas, may contribute the formation of an initial surface coverage of O^2?.     

Calculations of Isoelectronic Series of He Using Noninteger n‐Slater Type Orbitals in Single and Double Zeta Approximations

Using integer and noninteger n-Slater type orbitals in single- and double-zeta approximations, the Hartree-Fock-Roothaan calculations were performed for the ground states of first ten cationic members of the isoelectronic series of He atom. All the noninteger parameters and orbital exponents were fully optimized. In the case of noninteger n-Slater type orbitals in double zeta basis sets, the results of calculations obtained are more close to the numerical Hatree-Fock values and the average deviations of our ground state energies do not exceed 2×10^－6 hartrees of their numerical results.     

On the Modeling of CO2 EUA and CER Prices of EU‐ETS for the 2008–2012 Period

Increased consumption of fossil fuels in industrial production has led to a significant elevation in the emission of greenhouse gases and to global warming. The most effective international action against global warming is the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to reduce carbon emissions to desired levels in a certain time span. Carbon trading is one of the mechanisms used to achieve the desired reductions. One of the most important implications of carbon trading for industrial systems is the risk of uncertainty about the prices of carbon allowance permits traded in the carbon markets. In this paper, we consider stochastic and time series modeling of carbon market prices and provide estimates of the model parameters involved, based on the European Union emissions trading scheme carbon allowances data obtained for 2008–2012 period. In particular, we consider fractional Brownian motion and autoregressive moving average–generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic modeling of the European Union emissions trading scheme data and provide comparisons with benchmark models. Our analysis reveals evidence for structural changes in the underlying models in the span of the years 2008–2012. Data‐driven methods for identifying possible change‐points in the underlying models are employed, and a detailed analysis is provided. Our analysis indicated change‐points in the European Union Allowance (EUA) prices in the first half of 2009 and in the second half of 2011, whereas in the Certified Emissions Reduction (CER) prices three change‐points have appeared, in the first half of 2009, the middle of 2011, and in the second half of 2012. These change‐points seem to parallel the global economic indicators as well. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.