Pore size distributions in low‐k dielectric thin films from X‐ray porosimetry

X‐ray reflectivity has been used to determine the mass uptake of probe molecules in porous thin films supported on thick silicon wafers. The adsorption occurs by capillary condensation when the films are exposed to probe vapor at controlled partial vapor pressures. The probe solvent partial pressure was varied by mixing saturated air and dry air at constant temperature or by changing sample temperature at a constant vapor concentration. Pore size distribution in the films can be calculated from the probe uptake with typical porosimetric approaches such as the application of the Kelvin equation to convert partial pressure into pore size. For illustration, the pore size distribution of three different nanoporous thin films, the primary candidate of ultra‐low‐k interlevel dielectrics in the next generation of integrated circuit chips, was determined with this technique. These samples represent different generations of low‐k dielectrics developed by industry. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2170–2177, 2002     

Spectroscopic properties of tyrosyl radicals in dipeptides

Redox-active tyrosine residues play important roles in long-distance electron reactions in enzymes, including prostaglandin H synthase, galactose oxidase, ribonucleotide reductase, and photosystem II. Magnetic resonance and vibrational spectroscopy provide methods with which to study the structures of redox-active amino acids in proteins. In this report, ultraviolet photolysis was used to generate tyrosyl radicals from polycrystalline tyrosinate or dipeptides, and the structure of the radical was investigated with EPR and reaction-induced FT-IR spectroscopy at 77 K. Photolysis at 77 K is expected to generate a neutral tyrosyl radical through oxidation of the aromatic ring. EPR and FT-IR results obtained from (13)C-labeled tyrosine were consistent with that expectation. Surprisingly, labeling of the tyrosyl amino group with (15)N also resulted in isotope-shifted bands in the photolysis spectrum. The force constant of a NH deformation mode increased when the tyrosyl radical was generated. These data suggest an interaction between the pi system of the tyrosyl radical and the amino group. In spectra acquired from the dipeptides, evidence for a sequence-dependent interaction between the tyrosyl radical and the amide bond of the dipeptide was also obtained. We postulate that perturbation of the amino or the amide/imide groups may occur through a spin polarization mechanism, which is indirectly detected as a change in NH force constant. This conclusion is supported by density functional calculations, which suggest a conformationally sensitive delocalization of spin density onto the amino and carboxylate groups of the tyrosyl radical. These experiments provide a step toward a detailed spectral interpretation for protein-based tyrosyl radicals.     

Band structure and electronic properties of lithium azide (LiN3)

Ab initio Hartree–Fock band structure and molecular calculations have been performed to study the electronic structure of LiN₃ in a monoclinic C 2/m crystal structure. The total energy, band structure, density of states, and charge densities are computed. The calculated lattice energy (energy to separate the ions infinitely apart) of 8.6 eV agrees very well with 8.45 eV deduced from Madelung and London polarizability energies. The calculated split of the N 1s core bands of 5.0 eV compares favorably with the experimental X-ray photoelectron value of 4.4 eV. This good agreement is not contributed to crystalline environment effects as proposed in earlier MO studies of N where the best values obtained were 5.1, 5.8, and 6.3 eV, but to the quality of the nitrogen core basis set. The calculated valence density of states supports one of two competing interpretations that peak III observed in the X-ray photoelectron spectrum arises from contaminations or other extrinsic states.     

Behavior of molecular potential energy curves for large nuclear separations

We prove by elementary geometric methods and within the Born–Oppenheimer approximation that as the nuclei of a molecule are dissociated into spatially separated clusters, the discrete molecular energies approach sums of the energies of isolated subsystems. Our methods also show that the spectral projections associated with the discrete molecular spectrum asymptotically approach direct sums of suitable spectral projections for the isolated subsystems. These results apply to any system of particles interacting by asymptotically vanishing pair potentials. We prove that the 1/R expansion for discrete molecular potential curves is asymptotic as R → ∞, and we discuss the behavior of the coefficients of the 1/R expansion for the ground state of H₂⁺.     

Reactions of metal carbonyl cluster complexes with multidentate phosphine ligands; reactions with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane

Reactions of Rh₆(CO)₁₆ with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) gave Rh₆(CO)₁₄(dppm), Rh₆(CO)₁₂(dppm)₂, or Rh₆(CO)₁₀(dppm)₃, depending upon the reaction conditions. Rh₄(CO)₁₀(dppm) may be obtained from the reaction of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ with dppm, but this derivative rapidly decomposes in solution to give Rh₄(CO)₈(dppm)₂, Rh₆(CO)₁₄(dppm), and Rh₆(CO)₁₂(dppm)₂. Ir₄(CO)₁₀(dppm) and Ir₄(CO)₈(dppm)₂ have also been prepared, and their structures are discussed on the basis of infrared and ³¹P NMR spectroscopic data.     

An unusual dichotomy in the regioselectivity of a metal catalyzed versus thermal ene reaction

A Pd(+2) catalyzed cyclization of a 1,6-enyne complements a thermal Alder ene reaction; a rationale invoking a remote binding site is proposed.     

Cyclizations via Palladium-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylations [New Synthetic Methods (79)]

The history of ring systems in organic chemistry parallels their synthetic accessibility. Transition-metal-catalyzed cyclizations offer a new opportunity to create carbo- and heterocyclic compounds with great facility. Among these methods, allylic alkylations catalyzed by palladium have proven unusually productive because of the extraordinary chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity and the continuing possibility for the development of enantioselectivity. The rules for ring closure differ from those for non-transition-metal-catalyzed reactions. A major benefit is the ability to generate medium (eight-, nine-, ten-, and eleven-membered) and large rings in preference to normal (five-, six- and seven-membered) rings. With the appropriate substrate, efficient macrocyclizations are possible under conditions of normal concentrations. A second major benefit derives from the complementary stereochemistry of the metalcatalyzed substitution (net retention of configuration) compared to non-metal-catalyzed reactions (inversion of configuration). Further, the requirement for the substrate to conform to the transition-metal template may impose a stereochemical preference in the intermediate that ultimately translates into the thermodynamically less stable organic product regardless of the stereochemistry of the starting material. While more work has focused on carbocyclic synthesis, the possibilities for heterocyclic synthesis are just beginning to be tapped. In addition to forming heterocycles by C? C bond formation, use of a heteroatom as a nucleophile has already proven effective for oxygen and nitrogen, with other nucleophiles awaiting investigation. New dimensions for cyclization via allylic alkylation arise by generating the requisite π-allylpalladium intermediates by methods other than palladium(0)-initiated allylic ionizations. In addition, metals other than palladium will clearly expand the possibilities, but as yet remain untapped.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanoparticulate MnS within the pores of mesoporous silica

Mesoporous silica was loaded with nanoparticulate MnS via a simple post-synthesis treatment. The mesoporous material that still contained surfactant was passivated to prevent MnS formation at the surface. The surfactant was extracted and a novel manganese ethylxanthate was used to impregnate the pore network. This precursor thermally decomposes to yield MnS particles that are smaller or equal to the pore size. The particles exhibit all three common polymorphs. The passivation treatment is most effective at lower loadings because at the highest loadings (SiO₂:MnS molar ratio of 6:1) large particles (>50 nm) form at the exterior of the mesoporous particles. The integrity of the mesoporous network is maintained through the preparation and high order is maintained. The MnS particles exhibit unexpected ferromagnetism at low temperatures. Strong luminescence of these samples is observed and this suggests that they may have a range of important application areas.     

An alkylsilyl-tethered, high-capacity solid support amenable to diversity-oriented synthesis for one-bead, one-stock solution chemical genetics

The synthesis and use of an alkylsilyl-tethered large (500-600 microm) polystyrene resin (1) are disclosed. An optimized Suzuki coupling of bromine-functionalized polystyrene and a silicon-functionalized alkylborane generates the silicon-substituted polystyrene 1 in large scale (>100 g). Resin loading is accomplished by activation as the silyl triflate, which can accommodate even sterically encumbered secondary alcohols and phenols. Treatment with HF/pyridine for linker cleavage is mild, efficient, and amenable to an automated, large-scale distribution system. This platform delivers, minimally, 50 nmol of each small molecule derived from a diversity-oriented, split-pool synthesis on a per bead basis for use in both forward and reverse chemical genetic assays. This technology satisfies many requirements of a one bead-one stock solution approach to chemical genetics.