Reactions of cyclic oxalyl compounds,part 29: A simple synthesis of functionalized 1H-pyrimidines

Summary 4-Benzoyl-5-phenylfuran-2,3-dione (1) and the semicarbazones2, ureas and thioureas6, respectively, combine with loss of water and carbondioxide yielding the 1H-pyrimidine derivatives3 and7, respectively, in moderate yields (30–75%). Hydrolysis of3 b leads to the 1-amino-pyrimidine-2-one4.Cordially dedicated to o. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hans Junek on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Computation of two‐center Coulomb integrals over Slater‐type orbitals using elliptical coordinates

A general analytic formula is obtained for the two‐center Coulomb integrals over Slater‐type orbitals in elliptical coordinates. Finite series expansions are used in the evaluation of the radial part of the integrals. The analytic formula is expressed in terms of a product of the well‐known auxiliary functions A_k(p) and B_k(p) and incomplete gamma functions. Recursive relations for the computer evaluation of these functions are given as well. The recursive relations are stable and our computer results are in good agreement with the benchmark values given in the literature. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003     

Effects of the substitution of gallium with boron on the physical and mechanical properties of Ni–Mn–Ga shape memory alloys

The effects of the substitution of gallium with boron on the physical, mechanical and magnetic shape memory properties of Ni₅₁Mn_28.5Ga_20.5?x B _x (at.%) (x = 0, 1, 2, 3) polycrystalline alloys are investigated. It has been found that transformation temperatures are decreasing while hardness is increasing with boron addition. B-doping of NiMnGa alloys results in the formation of a second phase that increases its ductility and strength in compression. Moreover, saturation magnetization of austenite is decreasing, while Curie temperature of austenite is increasing with B-doping.     

End‐functionalized polylactides using a calcium‐based precatalyst: Synthesis and insights by mass spectrometry

A simple and convenient method for the synthesis of end functionalized polylactides (PLAs) under mild conditions by ring opening polymerization (ROP) in the absence of potentially toxic catalysts is described. Various alcohols were used as initiators in combination with Ca[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂(THF)₂ as the precatalyst in THF at room temperature. Tailored end functionalities were obtained in a controlled fashion. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐ToF‐MS) and electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (ESI‐Q‐ToF‐MS) analysis were performed to investigate the end groups. The results confirmed that the end group fidelity was maintained in the isolated PLAs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 437–448     

Bosonic helium clusters doped by alkali metal cations: interaction forces and analysis of their most stable structures

Ab initio potentials are computed for alkali metal cationic partners interacting with ⁴He and an overall many-body potential is constructed for each of the ionic dopants in helium clusters. The structures are then obtained via a genetic algorithm approach and results compared with Basin-Hopping Monte Carlo simulations. The classical arrangements are analyzed and quantum effects discussed in comparison with what has been found with Diffusion Monte Carlo calculations. Further corrections to the classical picture by including three-body forces and radial delocalization of the helium adatoms are also considered and their effects analyzed. This work is dedicated to the late Nando Bernardi, an eclectic and gifted scientist and a dear friend whose early departure has left a sad void in our community.     

Synthesis, characterization and properties of naphthoxazine-functional poly(propyleneoxide)s

Thermally curable naphthoxazine-functionalized polymers were synthesized by the reaction of linear (diamines) and branched (triamines) poly(propyleneoxide)s (Jeffamine series) having various molecular weights, with p-formaldehyde, and 2-naphthol. The structures of the resulting polymers were characterized by using FT-IR and ¹H-NMR. In addition, curing behavior of these polymers was studied using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Hydrophilicity of these polymers, both in cured and non-cured states, was investigated by water contact angle measurements. The surface topographies of the polymers were also examined by atomic force microscope (AFM).     

An experimental and computational approach to pH‐dependent self‐aggregation of poly(2‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazoline)

Besides temperature, self‐aggregation of poly(2‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PIPOX) can also be triggered via pH in aqueous solution (25 °C, pH > 5). Lowest energy structures and interaction energies of PIPOX with H₃O⁺, OH^?, and H₂O were calculated by DFT methods showed that, in addition to their ability to protonate PIPOX, H₃O⁺ ions had strong interaction with both water and PIPOX in acidic conditions. H₃O⁺ ions acted as compatibilizer between PIPOX and water and increased the solubility of PIPOX. OH^? ions were found to have stronger interaction with water compared to PIPOX resulting in desorption of water molecules from PIPOX phase and decreased solubility, leading to enhanced hydrophobic interactions among isopropyl groups of PIPOX and formation of aggregates at high pH. Results concerning the effect of end‐groups on aggregate size were in good agreement with statistical mechanics calculations. Moreover, the effect of polymer concentration on the aggregate size was examined. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 210–221     

Surface vibrational thermodynamics from ab initio calculations for fcc(1 0 0)

We present vibrational dynamics and thermodynamics for the (1 0 0) surfaces of Cu, Ag, Pd, Pt and Au using a real space approach. The force field for these systems is described by density functional theory. The changes in the vibrational dynamics and thermodynamics from those in bulk are confined mostly to the first-layer. A substantial enhancement of the low-frequency end of the acoustic branch was found and is related to a loosening of the bond at the surface. The thermodynamics of the first-layer also show significant differences (higher heat capacity, lower free energy and higher mean vibrational square amplitudes) from what obtains in bulk. Comparing these results with those calculated using embedded-atom method potentials, we discovered that for Ag(1 0 0) and Cu(1 0 0), the two methods yield very similar results while for Pd(1 0 0), Pt(1 0 0) and Au(1 0 0) there are substantial differences.