The weakly bound He-HCCCN complex: high-resolution microwave spectra and intermolecular potential-energy surface

Rotational spectra of the weakly bound He-HCCCN and He-DCCCN van der Waals complexes were observed using a pulsed-nozzle Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer in the 7-26-GHz frequency region. Nuclear quadrupole hyperfine structures due to the 14N and D nuclei (both with nuclear-spin quantum number I = 1) were resolved and assigned. Both strong a and weaker b-type transitions were observed and the assigned transitions were used to fit the parameters of a distortable asymmetric rotor model. The dimers are floppy, near T-shaped complexes. Three intermolecular potential-energy surfaces were calculated using the coupled-cluster method with single and double excitations and noniterative inclusion of triple excitations. Bound-state rotational energy levels supported by these surfaces were determined. The quality of the potential-energy surfaces was assessed by comparing the experimental and calculated transition frequencies and also the corresponding spectroscopic parameters. Simple scaling of the surfaces improved both the transition frequencies and spectroscopic constants. Five other recently reported surfaces [O. Akin-Ojo, R. Bukowski, and K. Szalewicz, J. Chem. Phys. 119, 8379 (2003)], calculated using a variety of methods, and their agreement with spectroscopic properties of He-HCCCN are discussed.     

Direct determination of lead in polluted sea water by carbon-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and rapid method is described for the direct determination of lead in polluted sea water by carbon furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Filtered sea water is diluted (1+1) with'deionised distilled water and ammonium nitrate is added to act as a matrix modifier. Aliquots of this mixture are injected into a tantalum-coated graphite tube in a HGA-2200 furnace atomiser operated under gas-stop conditions. With the standard addi- tion method, a detection limit (20) of 1 μg Pb 1^-1 is achieved. Good agreement between the proposed method and results obtained by anodic stripping voltammetry was achieved for samples taken from the Firth of Forth.     

Development of delta(15)N stratification of NO(3)(-) in soil profiles

New evidence, obtained using a robust method for measuring the delta(15)N of NO(3)(-)-N in soil, is consistent with denitrification being the major determinant in the vertical distribution of NO(3)(-)-delta(15)N in soil profiles. These data also suggest that varying moisture regimes result in different effects of soil NO(3)(-)-N leaching on residual whole soil delta(15)N.     

Compounds with symmetrical tricobalt chains wrapped by dipyridylamide ligands and cyanide or isothiocyanate ions as terminal ligands

Three new linear compounds of the type Co(3)(dpa)(4)X(2), where dpa is the anion of di(2-pyridyl)amine and X is NCS(-) (5), CN(-) (6), and N(CN)(2)(-) (7), have been prepared, and their structures and magnetic behavior have been studied. In all of them, including three different solvates of 5, the Co(3) chains are symmetrical with Co-Co distances of ca. 2.31-2.32 A. The appearance of four lines in the (1)H NMR spectra of the three compounds is also consistent with a symmetrical structure in solution. For all compounds, the magnetic behavior is quite similar with mu(eff) of ca. 1.9-2.0 micro(B) at temperatures between 1.8 and 200 K. As the temperature increases, the effective moments increase gradually, but since saturation is not reached, even at 400 K, the high-spin state cannot be assigned.     

Study of the thermal decomposition of solids in a fluidized bed, III

The influence of the air humidity upon the thermal decomposition of diammonium hydrogen phosphate was studied in a fluidized bed, under isothermal conditions. It was found that the increase of the decomposition rate is influenced directly by the partial pressure of the water vapour in the air, and indirectly by the working temperature. The moisture effect is explained by the salt hydrolysis in the water condensed on the grain surface. The energy of activation of the thermal decomposition decreases when the air humidity increases.

---

Zusammenfassung Der Einfluß der Luftfeuchtigkeit auf die thermische Zersetzung des Diammoniumhydrogenphosphats wurde in fluidisiertem Bett unter isothermen Verhältnissen studiert. Die Zunahme der Zersetzungsgeschwindigkeit war direkt proportional dem partialen Wasserdampfdruck in der Luft und indirekt proportional der Arbeitstemperatur. Diese Wirkung wird durch Salzhydrolyse in dem kondensierten Wasser an der Kernoberfläche erklärt. Die Aktivierungsenergie der thermischen Zersetzung nimmt mit zunehmendem Feuchtigkeitsgehalt ab.

---

Résumé On a étudié l'influence de l'humidité atmosphérique sur la décomposition thermique de (NH₄)₂HPO₄ en lit fluidisé, en conditions isothermes. La pression partielle de la vapeur d'eau dans l'air intervient directement sur l'augmentation de la vitesse de décomposition et exerce une action indirecte sur la température de travail. On a expliqué l'effet de l'humidité par l'hydrolyse du sel dans l'eau condensée à la surface des grains. La valeur de l'énergie d'activation de la décomposition thermique diminue quand l'humidité atmosphérique augmente.

---

. , , , , . , .

     

Monte Carlo study of the pair correlation function for a liquid with non-central forces

The pair correlation function g(R), giving the probability that the centers of two nonspherical molecules are a distance R apart irrespective of their orientations, has been studied by the Monte Carlo method. The pair potential model studied is of the type u_o + u_a, where u_o is the isotropic Lennard-Jones (12,6) potential and u_a is either a dipole-dipole, quadrupole-quadrupole, or anisotropic overlap interaction. Dipolar and quadrupolar forces are found to have a small effect on g(R), whereas anisotropic overlap forces have a large effect.     

Conversion of ketones into vinyl-oxiranes

A range of 1-(2-propenyl) alcohols was transformed in good yields into vinyl-oxiranes via the allylic bromide.     

Estimation of dephth profiles of boron in silicon on ion beam etched slping cuts by means of neutron induced autoradiography

A new method for the estimation of depth profiles of boron in silicon in extremely thin layers by means of neutron induced autoradiography is described. By the aid of ion beam etching it is possible to produce sloping cuts with angles down to 10^?4–10^?5. This means an extension of the depth profile by a factor of up to 5·10⁴. In this way a depth resolution of about ±10 nm is possible. The autoradiographic model of the sloping cut for the evaluation is described and first results are discussed.     

OZONE, MIDDLE ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AND THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT

Marine organisms in the upper layers of the sea may be endangered by increased ultraviolet radiation resulting from declines in the thickness of stratospheric ozone. Evidence supporting this hypothesis includes the fact that wavelengths of potentially damaging ultraviolet radiation can penetrate to ecologically significant depths and laboratory findings that many marine organisms are extremely sensitive to this radiation. Estimated effects of increased ultraviolet radiation on populations of marine organisms range from insignificant to catastrophic. Direct estimation of population effects have not been made, although this is the only adequate measure of the potential impact. The extreme diminution of ozone during the Antarctic spring, coupled with the dynamics of phytoplankton production in this region, may provide conditions suitable for an environmental test of the hypotheses that marine organisms are endangered by reduced stratospheric ozone. There is an urgency to the testing of this hypothesis since these populations may be directly impacted at the present time.