Towards a Microscopic Understanding of Nucleon Polarizabilities

We outline a microscopic framework to calculate nucleon Compton scattering from the level of quarks and gluons within the covariant Faddeev approach. We explain the connection with hadronic expansions of the Compton scattering amplitude and discuss the obstacles in maintaining electromagnetic gauge invariance. Finally we give preliminary results for the nucleon polarizabilities.     

Stationary two-black-hole configurations: A non-existence proof

Based on the solution of a boundary problem for disconnected (Killing) horizons and the resulting violation of characteristic black hole properties, we present a non-existence proof for equilibrium configurations consisting of two aligned rotating black holes. Our discussion is principally aimed at developing the ideas of the proof and summarizing the results of two preceding papers (Neugebauer and Hennig, 2009 [2], Hennig and Neugebauer, 2011 [3]). From a mathematical point of view, this paper is a further example (Meinel et al., (2008) [29]) for the application of the inverse (“scattering”) method to a non-linear elliptic differential equation.     

Bent Phosphaallenes With “Hidden” Lone Pairs as Ligands

Phosphaheteroallenes R−P=C=L, with L = N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), can be viewed to a certain extent as phosphaisonitriles stabilized with NHCs, R−P=C:←L. The suitability of these molecules as ligands for coinage-metal ions was investigated and coordination through the central carbon center was observed in most cases. A combination of experiments, spectroscopic methods, and DFT calculations indicates the presence of a hidden electron pair at the carbon center of R−P=C:←L. Remarkably, this lone pair also inserts intramolecularly in C−H bonds showing the carbene-type reactivity which is expected for phosphaisonitriles.     

Polymer-coated cation exchangers in high-performance ion chromatography: preparation and application

Low-capacity cation-exchange stationary phases for ion chromatography were prepared by coating a vinyl-modified silica gel with polystyrene or poly(glycidyl methacrylate). Strong acid ion-exchange groups were formed by sulphonation with concentrated sulphuric acid or by ring opening of the polymer-coated silica gels with sulphite solution. Carbon-sulphur elemental analyses of the polymer-coated cation exchangers (PCCEs) were applied to determine the average polymer film thickness. The pH stability depended on the polymer film thickness. The PCCEs were stable in the pH range 0.5–9. The low-capacity PCCEs (capacities 18–91 μmol/g) were applied to determine alkali and alkaline earth metal ions in tap and mineral waters.     

The nature of the chemical bond revisited. An energy partitioning analysis of diatomic molecules E2 (E=N–Bi, F–I), CO and BF

The nature of the chemical bonds in the diatomic molecules E₂ (E=N–Bi, F–I), CO and BF has been studied with an energy partitioning analysis using gradient-corrected density functional theory calculations. The results make it possible to estimate quantitatively the strength of covalent and electrostatic attractions and the Pauli repulsion between the atoms. The data suggest that some traditional explanations regarding the strength of the molecules should be modified. The energy partitioning analysis shows that the chemical bonds in the group 15 diatomic molecules have significant electrostatic character, which increases from 30.1% in N₂ to 58.3% in Bi₂. The contribution of the electrostatic attraction to the binding interactions in Sb₂ and Bi₂ is larger than the covalent bonding. The strength of the bonding in the triply bonded dinitrogen is less than that of the bonding. The calculations indicate that E is between 32.2% (Bi₂) and 40.0% (P₂) of the total orbital interaction energy (E_orb). The much stronger bond of N₂, as compared with the heavier group 15 E₂ homologues, is not caused by a particularly strong contribution by the bonding, but rather by the relatively large interactions. The comparison of N₂ with isoelectronic CO shows that the electrostatic character in the heteroatomic molecule is slightly smaller (28.8%) than in the homoatomic molecule. The contribution of the bonding in CO is larger (49.2%) than in N₂ (34.3%). The reason why CO has a stronger bond than N₂ is the significantly weaker Pauli repulsion in CO. The electrostatic character of the bonding in BF is slightly larger (32.0%) than in CO and N₂. BF has much weaker -bonding contributions that provide only 11.2% of the covalent interactions, which is why BF has a much weaker bond than CO and N₂. The chemical bonds in the dihalogen molecules have much higher covalent than electrostatic character. The E_orb term contributes between 74.4% (Br₂) and 79.7% (F₂) to the total attractive interactions. The relatively weak bond in F₂ comes from the rather large Pauli repulsion.Contribution to the Jacopo Tomasi Honorary Issue