Ab initio simulation of benzene Raman intensities

C₆H₆ Raman scattering activities calculated from harmonic model ab initio Hartree–Fock 6–311 ++ G(d, p) polarizability derivatives (and harmonic force fields calculated at the same level) accurately simulate experiment (to within 1% for the a_1g modes). Accurate predictions are also made for the e_2g modes (to within 5% for ν₇ and ν₉, and more poorly for ν₆ and ν₈ [in Fermi resonance with ν₆ + ν₁]) and for the e_1g out-of-plane mode, ν₁₀. Only the ν₆ in-plane CCC bending mode scattering activity is found to be anomalous. Systematic variation of the basis set indicates that the benzene scattering activities and depolarization ratios are strongly dependent on inclusion of both carbon and hydrogen atom diffuse functions in the basis set. Predictions are also made for ¹²C₆D₆ and for unmeasured intensities in ¹³C₆H₆. Measurements of a_1g mode scattering activities in the latter molecule are predicted to be useful in testing the harmonic Hartree–Fock Raman intensity model.     

Use of kinetic plots for relative assessment of reactor throughput and energy consumption

The progress of high temperature processes is generally described in terms of variation of the degree of conversion () with time (t). The present paper outlines a procedure for making use of-t plots for comparative assessment of productivity and energy requirements for a test system with respect to a reference, on the basis of some simplifying assumptions. It is assumed that the throughput is inversely proportional to reaction time as in the case of batch reactors and plug flow reactors. It is also assumed that the energy requirement is a simple function of process temperature. The principles outlined is illustrated with reference to some laboratory data for reduction of iron oxide by coal.The authors wish to thank Prof. P. R. Rao, Director National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, India, for providing facilities for experimental work and for according permission to publish this work.     

A gamma-spectrometric method for the determination of plutonium isotope ratios

A gamma-spectrometric method using an intrinsic high resolution germanium detector has been developed for the determination of isotope ratios of plutonium from samples in solution form. The method is based on the assay of low energy gamma-rays of²³⁸Pu,²³⁹Pu,²⁴⁰Pu and²⁴¹Pu and does not require the use of branching intensities or the knowledge of detection efficiencies for different gamma rays. Since low energy gamma-rays are used, the effect of²⁴¹Am has also been studied. It is found that results are not affected up to 0.5 wt% of²⁴¹Am in plutonium samples. An accuracy of 3% is achievable in the determination of²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu and²⁴¹Pu/²³⁹Pu atom ratios as demonstrated by carrying out measurements on isotopic standards of plutonium.     

HPLC separation of hydrogenated derivatives of buckminsterfullerene

Summary The effect of composition and flow rate of the mobile phase on the HPLC separation of hydrogenated buckminsterfullerene (C₆₀H_n n=2–38) was investigated on BuckySep column. Toluene was used as the basic solvent and hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, THF, acetonitrile, acetone, ethanol and 2-propanol as co-solvents. The fraction of co-solvents was varied 10–80%, and the flow rate 1–0.1 mL min⁻¹. Toluene-acetonitrile 65∶35 and toluene-acetone 50∶50 provided the best separation. Under the best conditions complete separation of C₆₀H₂ and almost complete separation of the four most abundant isomers of C₆₀H₄ were achieved. Separation of derivatives with higher hydrogen content was very poor. Presented at: Balaton Symposium on High-Performance Separation Methods, Siófok, Hungary, September 3–5, 1997     

The effects of gamma irradiation on the microbiological, physical and sensory qualities of diced tomatoes

Diced Roma tomatoes were treated with gamma irradiation and evaluated for changes in microbial, physical, chemical and sensory properties. Dosages for Trial 1 were 0.0, 0.39, 0.56 and 1.82 kGy and in Trial 2, 0.0, 0.50, 1.24 and 3.70 kGy. Irradiation at 3.70 kGy resulted in no aerobic populations through day 12 and significantly fewer colonies through day 15 whereas yeast and mold populations experienced a 2 log reduction through day 12. Color, titratable acidity, and °Brix were not significantly affected by irradiation. Tissue firmness decreased with increasing dose but not with storage time. Treatment with 3.7 kGy decreased firmness by 50% and 20% with 0.5 kGy, however, the reduced firmness induced by 0.50 kGy was undetected by a 9 member trained sensory panel. A significant (p0.05) inverse correlation between changes in texture and water-soluble pectin (WSP) was determined while total pectin remained relatively constant and oxalate soluble pectin content decreased slightly with irradiation dose. The significant inverse correlation between the loss of firmness and WSP indicates that the changes in WSP play an important role in the tissue softening of tomatoes, This study indicates that irradiation at 0.5 kGy can reduce microbial counts substantially to improve microbial shelf life without adverse effects on sensory qualities.     

Phenomenological renormalization of free nucleon-nucleon interaction

Low-lying spectra of⁶Li,¹⁸F,¹⁸O,⁴²Sc,⁴²Ca,⁵⁸Ni and⁹²Zr are studied with Sussex matrix elements (SME) and their central, spin-orbit and tensor components. It is observed that major contribution to level energies comes from the central part, while the tensor part provides the finer details of spectra, particularly forT=0 levels. The spin-orbit part does not make any appreciable contribution to level energies. A phenomenological renormalization of the SME is carried out to improve the agreement with the experimental results. It turns out that some of the low-lyingT=0 levels can be satisfactorily described if the SME in the³S₁ relative state are made (1+α) times their bare interaction value, whereα is a constant to be determined from a comparison with experimental level energies. Similarly, forT=1 levels, better agreement with the experimental results is obtained if aδ-function-plus-quadrupole interaction is added to the SME.     

A Simple and Environmentally Benign Nitration of Pyrazoles by Impregnated Bismuth Nitrate

We report herein a facile, rapid, and environmentally friendly synthesis of nitropyrazoles in good yields using silica‐bismuth nitrate and silica‐sulfuric acid‐bismuth nitrate at room temperature for the first time. The relatively non‐toxic nature, ease of handling, easy availability, and low cost make the present procedure attractive for the nitration of a wide variety of diazoles in the drug and pharmaceutical industries.     

Cycloaddition profile of pentafulvenes with 3-oxidopyrylium betaine: experimental and theoretical investigations

A detailed investigation on the effect of solvent polarity, temperature, and microwave irradiation on periselectivity in cycloaddition reactions of pentafulvenes with 3-oxidopyrylium betaine is described. The base catalyzed generation of 3-oxidopyrylium betaine in CHCl₃ resulted in the exclusive formation of [6+3] adducts. With increase in solvent polarity and temperature, mixtures of [6+3] and [3+2] adducts were formed, where as under microwave irradiation, [3+2] adducts were formed exclusively. The experimental results have been rationalized on the basis of theoretical calculations.