A dinuclear Ni(I) system having a diradical Ni2N2 diamond core resting state: synthetic, structural, spectroscopic elucidation, and reductive bond splitting reactions

One-electron reduction of the square-planar nickel precursor (PNP)NiCl ( 1) (PNP (-) = N[2-P(CHMe 2) 2-4-methylphenyl] 2) with KC 8 effects ligand reorganization of the pincer ligand to assemble a Ni(I) dimer, [Ni(mu 2-PNP)] 2 ( 2), containing a Ni 2N 2 core structure, as inferred by its solid-state X-ray structure. Solution magnetization measurements are consistent with a paramagnetic Ni(I) system likely undergoing a monomer <--> dimer equilibrium. The room-temperature and 4 K solid-state X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra display anisotropic signals. Low-temperature solid-state X-band EPR data at 4 K reveal rhombic values g z = 1.980(4), g x = 2. 380(4), and g y = 2.225(4), as well as a forbidden signal at g = 4.24 for the Delta M S = 2 half field transition, in accord with 2 having two weakly interacting metal centers. Utilizing an S = 1 model, full spin Hamiltonian simulation of the low-temperature EPR spectrum on the solid sample was achieved by applying a nonzero zero-field-splitting parameter ( D = 0.001 cm (-1)), which is consistent with an S = 0 ground state with a very closely lying S = 1 state. Solid-state magnetization data also corroborate well with our solid-state EPR data and reveal weak antiferromagnetic behavior ( J = -1.52(5) cm (-1)) over a 2-300 K temperature range at a field of 1 Tesla. Evidence for 2 being a masked "(PNP)Ni" scaffold originates from its reaction with N 2CPh 2, which traps the Ni(I) monomer in the form of a T-shaped species, Ni(PNPNNCPh 2), a system that has been structurally characterized. The radical nature of complex 2, or its monomer component, is well manifested through the plethora of cooperative H-X-type bond cleavage reactions, providing the nickel(II) hydride (PNP)NiH and the corresponding rare functionalities -OH, -OCH 3, -PHPh, and -B(catechol) integrated into the (PNP)Ni moiety in equal molar amounts. In addition to splitting H 2, compound 2 can also engage in homolytic X-X bond cleavage reactions of PhXXPh to form (PNP)Ni(XPh) (X = S or Se).     

Simple systematization of vibrational excitation cross-section calculations for resonant electron-molecule scattering in the boomerang and impulse models

Vibrational excitation (nu(f)<--nu(i)) cross-sections sigma(nu(f)<--nu(i) )(E) in resonant e-N(2) and e-H(2) scattering are calculated from transition matrix elements T(nu(f),nu(i) )(E) obtained using Fourier transform of the cross correlation function , where psi(nu(i))(R,t) approximately =e(-iH(A(2))-(R)t/h phi(nu(i))(R) with time evolution under the influence of the resonance anionic Hamiltonian H(A(2) (-))(A(2) (-)=N(2)(-)/H(2) (-)) implemented using Lanczos and fast Fourier transforms. The target (A(2)) vibrational eigenfunctions phi(nu(i))(R) and phi(nu(f))(R) are calculated using Fourier grid Hamiltonian method applied to potential energy (PE) curves of the neutral target. Application of this simple systematization to calculate vibrational structure in e-N(2) and e-H(2) scattering cross-sections provides mechanistic insights into features underlying presence/absence of structure in e-N(2) and e-H(2) scattering cross-sections. The results obtained with approximate PE curves are in reasonable agreement with experimental/calculated cross-section profiles, and cross correlation functions provide a simple demarcation between the boomerang and impulse models.     

Double Yielding in a Styrene/Butadiene Star Block Copolymer

Summary: The morphology and tensile deformation behaviour of a highly asymmetric styrene/butadiene star block copolymer (polystyrene (PS) content = 74%) containing random PS‐co‐PB (polybutadiene) copolymer as a rubbery phase were investigated. The existence of double yielding, similar to that observed in some semicrystalline polymers, was detected in this nanostructured amorphous polymer. The observed phenomenon may be correlated with two different micromechanical processes taking place at the initial stage of deformation.

The stress‐strain curve of the star block copolymer prepared here (each curve represents a different method). The two yield points are clearly visible (labelled I and II).     

Structure and Properties of Nanocomposites Based on SBS Block Copolymer and Alumina

The addition of inorganic filler into commodity plastics has a long history. Today, polymer composites based on nanosized filler are popular among polymer scientists from academia and industries due to their ability to enhance a number of physical properties. In this work, we investigate the dispersion and reinforcing effect of alumina nanoparticles using a polystyrene-polybutadiene based block copolymer (SBS) and organically modified alumina nanofiller. With the aid of solution casting procedures, polymer composites with good dispersion of nanoparticles could be produced. It has been demonstrated that with suitably coated nanoparticles, polymer composites with optimum dispersion of nanofiller ensuring marked reinforcement effect can be achieved.     

Preparation of calix[4]arene methylene crosslinked resins with 2-pyridyl pendant group and their adsorption behavior towards silver ion

Three different resins namely 1:5 MC-resin, 1:3 MC-resin and 1:1 MC-resin have been synthesized by methylene crosslinking of 2-pyridylcalix[4]arene. Adsorption behavior of these resins towards the metal ions existing in photographic waste was investigated. The resins show absolute efficiency for adsorption of silver ion with no affinity for other coexisting ions. First two resins form 1:1 complex whereas the third one forms 2:1 complex with silver ion. Maximum loading capacity of silver ion on the present resins was found to be 1.15, 1.29 and 0.69 mol kg^?1, respectively. Column chromatographic separation of silver ion in presence of excess of sodium ions was also carried out with 1:5 MC-resin. Selective adsorption of silver ions over excess of sodium ions was achieved.     

Eigenvalue density of linear stochastic dynamical systems: A random matrix approach

Eigenvalue problems play an important role in the dynamic analysis of engineering systems modeled using the theory of linear structural mechanics. When uncertainties are considered, the eigenvalue problem becomes a random eigenvalue problem. In this paper the density of the eigenvalues of a discretized continuous system with uncertainty is discussed by considering the model where the system matrices are the Wishart random matrices. An analytical expression involving the Stieltjes transform is derived for the density of the eigenvalues when the dimension of the corresponding random matrix becomes asymptotically large. The mean matrices and the dispersion parameters associated with the mass and stiffness matrices are necessary to obtain the density of the eigenvalues in the frameworks of the proposed approach. The applicability of a simple eigenvalue density function, known as the Marenko–Pastur (MP) density, is investigated. The analytical results are demonstrated by numerical examples involving a plate and the tail boom of a helicopter with uncertain properties. The new results are validated using an experiment on a vibrating plate with randomly attached spring–mass oscillators where 100 nominally identical samples are physically created and individually tested within a laboratory framework.     

Reactions of halogenated organic peroxyl radicals with some biologically important compounds in a quaternary microemulsion

Reactions of various halogenated peroxyl radicals with guanine, uric acid, xanthine, hypoxanthine and ascorbic acid in a quaternary microemulsion consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate/water/1-pentanol/cyclohexane have been studied using the technique of pulse radiolysis. For all purine derivatives and ascorbic acid, formation of the respective radical cations have been observed. Variation in biomolecular rate constant values for the reactions of peroxyl radicals with the above-mentioned compounds has been discussed in terms of diffusion of radicals.     

Chemical ordering and thermodynamic properties of HgNa liquid alloys

We have studied the thermodynamic properties and microscopic structures of HgNa liquid alloy at 673 K on the basis of regular associated solution model. The concentrations of ApB type complex in a regular associated solution of Hg and Na have been determined. We have then used the concentration of complex to calculate the free energy of mixing, enthalpy of mixing, entropy of mixing, activity, concentration fluctuations in long wavelength limit S_CC(0) and the Warren-Cowley short-range parameter α₁. The analysis suggests that heterocoordination leading to the formation of complex Hg₄Na is likely to exist in the liquid and is of a strongly interacting nature. The theoretical analysis reveals that the pairwise interaction energies between the species depend considerably on temperature and the alloy is more ordered towards Hg-rich region.