E-collisions using e-science

We describe a computational science research program primarily aimed at engineering numerically robust software that can exploit high performance on distributed computers in the study of electron collisions with atoms and ions. In particular, we describe the development of 2DRMP-G, a Grid aware 2-dimensional R-matrix propagator and its numerical validation using CADNA, a software tool based on discrete stochastic arithmetic. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Cryogenic 35 GHz pulse ENDOR probehead accommodating large sample sizes: Performance and applications

The construction and performance of a cryogenic 35 GHz pulse electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) probehead for large samples is presented. The resonator is based on a rectangular TE₁₀₂ cavity in which the radio frequency (rf) B₂-field is generated by a two turn saddle ENDOR coil crossing the resonator along the sample axis with minimal distance to the sample tube. An rf power efficiency factor is used to define the B₂-field strength per square-root of the transmitted rf power over the frequency range 2–180 MHz. The distributions of the microwave B₁- and E₁-field, and the rf B₂-field are investigated by electromagnetic field calculations. All dielectrics, the sample tube, and coupling elements are included in the calculations. The application range of the probehead and the advantages of using large sample sizes are demonstrated and discussed on a number of paramagnetic samples containing transition metal ions.     

AIM‐1: An Antibiotic‐Degrading Metallohydrolase That Displays Mechanistic Flexibility

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a major threat to global health care. This is largely due to the fact that many pathogens have developed strategies to acquire resistance to antibiotics. Metallo‐β‐lactamases (MBL) have evolved to inactivate most of the commonly used β‐lactam antibiotics. AIM‐1 is one of only a few MBLs from the B3 subgroup that is encoded on a mobile genetic element in a major human pathogen. Here, its mechanism of action was characterised with a combination of spectroscopic and kinetic techniques and compared to that of other MBLs. Unlike other MBLs it appears that AIM‐1 has two avenues available for the turnover of the substrate nitrocefin, distinguished by the identity of the rate‐limiting step. This observation may be relevant with respect to inhibitor design for this group of enzymes as it demonstrates that at least some MBLs are very flexible in terms of interactions with substrates and possibly inhibitors.     

Classification of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry spectra from complex Cu–Fe sulphides by principal component analysis and artificial neural networks

Artificial neural network (ANN) and a hybrid principal component analysis-artificial neural network (PCA-ANN) classifiers have been successfully implemented for classification of static time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) mass spectra collected from complex Cu–Fe sulphides (chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite and pyrite) at different flotation conditions. ANNs are very good pattern classifiers because of: their ability to learn and generalise patterns that are not linearly separable; their fault and noise tolerance capability; and high parallelism. In the first approach, fragments from the whole ToF-SIMS spectrum were used as input to the ANN, the model yielded high overall correct classification rates of 100% for feed samples, 88% for conditioned feed samples and 91% for Eh modified samples. In the second approach, the hybrid pattern classifier PCA-ANN was integrated. PCA is a very effective multivariate data analysis tool applied to enhance species features and reduce data dimensionality. Principal component (PC) scores which accounted for 95% of the raw spectral data variance, were used as input to the ANN, the model yielded high overall correct classification rates of 88% for conditioned feed samples and 95% for Eh modified samples.     

Zero‐Valent Amino‐Olefin Cobalt Complexes as Catalysts for Oxygen Atom Transfer Reactions from Nitrous Oxide

The synthesis and characterization of several zero‐valent cobalt complexes with a bis(olefin)‐amino ligand is presented. Some of these complexes proved to be efficient catalysts for the selective oxidation of secondary and allylic phosphanes, as well as diphosphanes, even with a direct P?P bond. With 5 mol % catalyst loadings the oxidations proceed under mild conditions (25–70 °C, 7–22 h, 2 bar N₂O) and afford good to excellent yields (65–98 %). In this process, the greenhouse gas N₂O is catalytically converted into benign N₂ and added‐value organophosphorus compounds, some of which are difficult to obtain otherwise.     

High-resolution EPR spectroscopic investigations of a homologous set of d9-cobalt(0), d9-rhodium(0), and d9-iridium(0) complexes

The 17-electron complexes [M(tropp(ph))2] (M=Co0, Rh0, Ir0) were prepared and isolated (tropp = tropylidene phosphane). A structural analysis of [Co(tropp(ph))2] revealed this complex to be almost tetrahedral, while the heavier homologues have more planar structures. Partially deuterated tropp complexes [D6][M(tropp(ph))2] were synthesised for M = Rh and Ir in order to enhance the resolution in the EPR spectra. This synthesis involves a four-fold intramolecular C-H activation reaction, whereby alkyl groups are transformed into olefins. Dihydrides were observed as intermediates for M = Ir. The electronic and geometric structures of all complexes [M(tropp(ph))2] (M = Co, Rh, Ir) and [D6][M(tropp(ph))2] (M = Rh, Ir) were investigated by continuous wave (CW) and echo-detected EPR in combination with pulse ENDOR and ESEEM techniques. In accord with their planar structures, cis and trans isomers were detected for [M(tropp(ph))2] (M = Rh0, Ir0) for which a dynamic equilibrium was established. The thermodynamic data show that the cis isomer is slightly preferred by deltaH(o) = -4.7 +/- 0.3 kJ mol(-1) (M = Rh) and delta H(o) = -5.1 +/- 0.5 kJ mol(-1); (M = Ir). The entropies for the process trans-[M(tropp(ph))2] <==> cis-[M(tropp(ph))2] are also negative [deltaS(o) = -5 +/- 1.5 J mol(-1) (M = Rh); deltaS(o) = -17 +/- 3.7 J mol(-1) (M = Rh)], indicating higher steric congestion in the cis isomers. The cobalt(0) and irdium(0) complexes show rather large g anisotropies, while that of the rhodium(0) complex is small (Co: g(parallel) = 2.320, g(perpendicular) = 2.080; cis-Rh: g(parallel) = 2.030, g(perpendicular) = 2.0135; trans-Rh: g(parallel) = 2.050, g(perpendicular) = 2.030; cis-Ir: g(parallel) = 2.030, g(perpendicular) = 2.060; trans-Ir: g(parallel) = 1.980, g(perpendicular) = 2.150). The g matrices of [M(tropp(ph))2] (M = Co, Rh) are axially symmetric with g(parallel) > g(perpendicular), indicating either a distorted square planar structure (SOMO essentially d(x2 - y2) or a compressed tetrahedron (SOMO essentially d(xy)). Interestingly, for [Ir(tropp(ph))2] the inverse ordering, g(perpendicular) > g(parallel) is found; this cannot be explained by simple ligand field arguments and must await a more sophisticated analysis. The hyperfine interactions of the unpaired electron with the metal nuclei, phosphorus nuclei, protons, deuterons and carbon nuclei were determined. By comparison with atomic constants, the spin densities on these centres were estimated and found to be small. However, the good agreement of the distance between the olefinic protons and the metal centres determined from the dipolar coupling parameter indicates that the unpaired electron is primarily located at the metal centre.     

Preparation and characterization of sol-gel derived KTiOPO4 thin films for integrated optical applications

A sol gel route has been developed to produce stoichiometric, dense and crack free KTiOPO₄ (KTP) thin films which exhibit waveguiding. This method involved the deposition and pyrolysis of hydrolyzed solutions of K, Ti and P alkoxides on an appropriate substrate. The final ceramic film morphology is greatly dependent on the preparation chemistry, apparently as a result of the formation of polymetallic complexes. The solution chemistry, processing conditions and their influence on the final ceramic film microstructure will be discussed in detail.Optical properties such as indices of refraction and optical losses have been found to be dependent on the film microstructures. Deposition on different substrates has been undertaken to promote preferential orientation and thus to try to minimize the optical losses in the films. This correlation between the optical losses and microstructures will be discussed in detail.