Quantitative Evaluation of Infrared Absorbance Spectra – Lorentz Profile versus Lorentz Oscillator

We present the theoretical basis for a profound upgrade of the method of absorbance band fitting (“band deconvolution”), which requires only minute changes in the code of corresponding spectrometer software. This upgrade is based on a (re-)connection of the damped harmonic oscillator model (“Lorentz oscillator”) and the Lorentz profile used for band fitting. Based on this reconnection, we provide a proper extension to multiple oscillators. As a result, band fitting allows directly obtaining all oscillator parameters with very good accuracy, at least for the not too strong oscillators present in organic and biological matter. Accordingly, this could be the initial spark to open the way to a long-awaited paradigm shift in infrared spectroscopy: Away from a mere oscillator position-based, towards an also intensity-based quantitative interpretation of spectra. As an extra, absorbance band fitting (“Poor Man's Dispersion Analysis”), allows to obtain the index of refraction function in one go.     

$^{2}_{\infty}\rm [Tb(Tz\ast)_{3}]$, A Homoleptic 2‐Dimensional Framework from a Solvent Free Synthesis of Terbium Metal with 1H‐1,2,3‐Triazole

Single crystalline , (Tz*)^– = 1,2,3‐triazolate anion, C₂H₂N₃^–, was obtained by the reaction of terbium metal with the amine 1H‐1,2,3‐triazole. As no additional solvent was used, the formation of a homoleptic framework without additional co‐ligands is accessible. Furthermore molecular hydrogen is produced. is a 2‐dimensional framework with a (6,6) topology including (Tz*)^– double bridges. The structure can be deduced from a basic structure type as it adopts the AlCl₃ structure with the triazolate ligands establishing the package. (Tz*)^– thus function as μ‐η¹:η²/μ‐η²:η¹ linkers between trivalent terbium ions that have a C.N. of nine. The framework exhibits an exceptional thermal stability up to 380 °C considering the three neighbouring nitrogen atoms of the triazolate ligands. At this point the framework decomposes in one single exothermic step under release of N₂.     

Ein neuartiger Zugang zu reduzierten Polyoxomolybdaten mit komplexen Gegenionen – Synthese und Struktur von [Mn(CH3OH)6][Mo8O16(OCH3)8(C2O4)]

The tetranuclear compound [Mo₂(O₂C‐tBu)₃]₂(μ‐C₂O₄) ( 1 ) that is prepared from [Mo₂(O₂C‐tBu)₃]₄ and oxalic acid, was reacted with MnI₂ · 2THF to form the polyoxomolybdate compound [Mn(CH₃OH)₆] [Mo₈O₁₆(OCH₃)₈(C₂O₄)] ( 2 ) in a complex redox reaction. Crystals of 2 were analyzed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction showing a octanuclear polyoxomolybdate dianion in which the Mo=O moieties are alternately connected through μ‐oxo and μ‐methoxo units. Charge balance in 2 is realized by a manganese(II) cation that is octahedrally coordinated by methanol ligands. The crystal structure is dominated by strong hydrogen bond interactions of the O–H ··· O type of methanol molecules coordinated to manganese as well as additional methanol molecules in the crystal lattice.     

In situ Neutron Powder Diffraction on Intermediate Hydrides of MgPd3 in a Novel Sapphire Gas Pressure Cell

A novel gas pressure cell for in situ neutron powder diffraction has been developed. It is based on a single crystal sapphire tube as a sample holder, allows a 360° unobstructed access by the neutron beam and has little background contribution. This device was used to study the hydrogenation of α‐MgPd₃, which undergoes a hydrogen driven rearrangement from a ZrAl₃ to a AuCu₃ type structure. Deuterium could be located and a strong preference of [Pd₆] voids was found in α‐MgPd₃D_0.79 under 5 bar and in α‐MgPd₃D_0.94 under 20 bar deuterium pressure. The crystal structure may be described as a new defect superstructure variant of the NaCl type. In situ thermal analysis under 5 bar hydrogen pressure showed that both the hydrogen uptake of α‐MgPd₃, which is complete at temperatures below 450 K, and the transformation to the hydride of cubic β‐MgPd₃, starting around 550 K, are exothermic. This completion of the hydrogenation‐dehydrogenation series of MgPd₃ suggests, that the rearrangement of the metal structure proceeds by a hydrogen assisted gliding mechanism with a shift vector of [110]. This is also supported by quantum chemical calculations, which show a decohesion of the intermetallic structure upon hydrogenation accompanied by the appearance of Pd–H bonding interactions.     

Beer's Law-Why Integrated Absorbance Depends Linearly on Concentration

As derived by Max Planck in 1903 from dispersion theory, Beer's law has a fundamental limitation. The concentration dependence of absorbance can deviate from linearity, even in the absence of any interactions or instrumental nonlinearities. Integrated absorbance, not peak absorbance, depends linearly on concentration. The numerical integration of the absorbance leads to maximum deviations from linearity of less than 0.1 %. This deviation is a consequence of a sum rule that was derived from the Kramers-Kronig relations at a time when the fundamental limitation of Beer's law was no longer mentioned in the literature. This sum rule also links concentration to (classical) oscillator strengths and thereby enables the use of dispersion analysis to determine the concentration directly from transmittance and reflectance measurements. Thus, concentration analysis of complex samples, such as layered and/or anisotropic materials, in which Beer's law cannot be applied, can be achieved using dispersion analysis.     

SAMBADENA Hyperpolarization of 13C-Succinate in an MRI: Singlet-Triplet Mixing Causes Polarization Loss

The signal enhancement provided by the hyperpolarization of nuclear spins of biological molecules is a highly promising technique for diagnostic imaging. To date, most ¹³C-contrast agents had to be polarized in an extra, complex or cost intensive polarizer. Recently, the in situ hyperpolarization of a ¹³C contrast agent to >20 % was demonstrated without a polarizer but within the bore of an MRI system. This approach addresses some of the challenges of MRI with hyperpolarized tracers, i. e. elevated cost, long production times, and loss of polarization during transfer to the detection site. Here, we demonstrate the first hyperpolarization of a biomolecule in aqueous solution in the bore of an MRI at field strength of 7 T within seconds. The ¹³C nucleus of 1-¹³C, 2,3-²H₂-succinate was polarized to 11 % corresponding to a signal enhancement of approximately 18.000. Interesting effects during the process of the hydrogenation reaction which lead to a significant loss of polarization have been observed.     

Simulation einer Fabrik für synthetischen Gummi — eine Fallstudie

Zusammenfassung Die Fallstudie behandelt das Problem der Dimensionierung der verschiedenen Teile einer sehr komplexen Anlage für mehrstufige Produktion. Die Programmierung erfolgte in FORTRAN. Anhand der Fallstudie werden einige wesentliche Punkte herausgearbeitet, die für den Erfolg von Simulationsprojekten wesentlich sind, nämlich: klare Zielsetzung, Simulation von Teilbereichen, so daß in kürzester Zeit Resultate vorliegen.

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Summary The case-study deals with the problem of the size of various parts of a very complex plant lay-out for multi-step production. The programming was done in FORTAN. Based on the case-study a few points were worked out which are essential for the success of simulation-projects, to wit: clear statement of purpose; simulation of partial scopes, which produce short-term results.

     

Intrinsic ferroelectric coercive field

The Landau-Ginzburg theory of ferroelectricity predicts the intrinsic coercive field for polarization reversal, but the observed extrinsic coercive field is always much smaller as a result of nucleation, dynamic processes not covered by the static theory. We have realized the intrinsic coercive field for the first time, in two-dimensional Langmuir-Blodgett polymer films as thin as 1 nm. The measured coercive field is in good agreement with the theoretical intrinsic value, exhibits the expected dependence on temperature, and does not depend on thickness below 15 nm.