Performance evaluation of k 0-instrumental neutron activation analysis and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the characterization of various types of alloys

Certified alloys of Ni–Cu based, Fe based and Cu–Sn based were analysed by semi-absolute, standardless k ₀-instrumental neutron activation analysis (k ₀-INAA) and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) aiming at evaluating their comparative performances. In k ₀-INAA measurements, the irradiations were performed at miniaturized neutron source reactor having thermal neutron flux of about 1 × 10¹² cm^?2 s^?1. The experimentally optimized parameters for INAA suggested a maximum of three irradiations for the quantification of 21 elements within 5 days. The same experiments also produced quantitative results of 13 elements not reported in the certificates of the reference materials. AAS was, however, unable to determine any of those elements. Accuracy of the two techniques was assessed by comparing their average root mean squared errors. The data analysis concluded that k ₀-INAA had better sensitivity and accuracy than FAAS.     

New stereoselective syntheses of cis- and trans-2-methyl-4-arylpiperidines

A stereoselective approach has been developed for the synthesis of cis- and trans-2-methyl-4-arylpiperidines from a common intermediate. The Ni-catalyzed hydrogenolysis of N-Boc-2-methyl-4-aryl-4-piperidinols, obtained by addition of organometallic reagents on N-Boc-2-methyl-4-piperidone, afforded the trans derivatives with up to 95% selectivity whereas the corresponding cis isomers were obtained in the presence of palladium catalysts.     

Accumulation of uranium by filamentous green algae under natural environmental conditions

The capacity of algae to concentrate uranium under natural environmental conditions is measured by a-spectrometry. Spirogyra, a filamentous green fresh-water alga, has concentrated uranium from a surface concrete ponds with elevated uranium levels (140-1140 ppb). The concentration factors (CFs) ranged from 8.9-67 with an average value of 22.Cladophora spp, a filamentous green marine alga has concentrated uranium from the marine water with a concentration factor ranged from 220–280. The average concentration factor was 250. The factors affecting the sorption process are discussed in detail. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Tailoring the optical and magnetic properties of La-BaM hexaferrites by Ni substitution

We investigate the impact of Ni insertion on the structural,optical,and magnetic properties of Ba_0.8La_0.2Fe_12-xNi_xO₁₉hexaferrites(Ni substituted La-BaM hexaferrites).Samples were prepared using the conventional co-precipitation method and sintered at 1000℃for 4 hours to assist the crystallization process.An analysis of the structure of the samples was carried out using an x-ray diffraction(XRD)spectrometer.The M-type hexagonal structure of all the samples was confirmed using XRD spectra.The lattice parameters a and c were found to be in the ranges of 5.8925±0.001 nm–5.8952±0.001 nm and 23.2123±0.001 nm–23.2219±0.001 nm,respectively.The M-type hexagonal nature of the prepared samples was also indicated by the presence of corresponding FT-IR bands and Raman modes in the FT-IR and Raman spectra,respectively.EDX results confirmed the successful synthesis of the samples according to the required stoichiometric ratio.A UV-vis spectrometer was used to record the absorption spectra of the prepared samples in the wavelength range of 200 nm–1100 nm.The optical energy bandgap of the samples was found to be in the range of 1.21 eV–3.39 eV.The M–H loops of the samples were measured at room temperature at an applied magnetic field range of 0 kOe–60 kOe.A high saturation magnetization of 99.92 emu/g was recorded in the sample with x=0 at a microwave operating frequency of 22.2 GHz.This high value of saturation magnetization is due to the substitution of La3+ions at the spin-up(12k,2a,and 2b)sites.The Ni substitution is proven to be a potential candidate for the tuning of the optical and magnetic parameters of M-type hexaferrites.Therefore,we suggest that the prepared samples are suitable for use in magneto-optic applications.     

Theoretical investigation into competing unimolecular reactions encountered in the pyrolysis of acetamide

Motivated by the necessity to understand the pyrolysis of alkylated amines, unimolecular decomposition of acetamide is investigated herein as a model compound. Standard heats of formation, entropies, and heat capacities, are calculated for all products and transition structures using several accurate theoretical levels. The potential energy surface is mapped out for all possible channels encountered in the pyrolysis of acetamide. The formation of acetamedic acid and 1-aminoethenol and their subsequent decomposition pathways are found to afford the two most energetically favored pathways. However, RRKM analysis shows that the fate of acetamedic acid and 1-aminoethenol at all temperatures and pressures is to reisomerize to the parent acetamide. 1-Aminoethenol, in particular, is predicted to be a long-lived species enabling its participation in bimolecular reactions that lead to the formation of the major experimental products. Results presented herein reflect the importance of bimolecular reactions involving acetamide and 1-aminoethenol in building a robust model for the pyrolysis of N-alkylated amides.     

Spectral and physico-chemical investigations of novel homo-dinuclear di-μ2-alkoxo bridged Schiff base complexes: 57Fe Mössbauer parameters of the Fe(III) complex

Spectral and molecular model computations on homo-dinuclear complexes [M₂L₂(H₂O)₂Cl₂] [L = 1-(salicylaldeneamino)-3-hydroxypropane, M = Cr³⁺, Mn³⁺, Fe³⁺, Co³⁺, Ni³⁺ or Cu³⁺] are consistent with a distorted hexa-coordinate geometry. X-band EPR spectral data indicated a rhombic distortion around Cu(II) ion. Magnetic moment and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer data confirmed a high-spin state electronic configuration (t_2g³e_g², S = 5/2) and asymmetric ligand environment around Fe(III) with nuclear transitions Fe(±3/2 → 1/2) exhibiting Kramer's double degeneracy. The neighboring Fe(III) nuclei in the homo-dinuclear species are antiferromagnetically coupled.     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of iron(II) complex with tetradentate nitrogen ligands under conditions of atom transfer radical polymerization

Four tetradentate nitrogen ligands, viz. dichloro{[N,N^′-diphenyl-N,N^′-di(quinoline-2-methyl)]-1,2-ethylene diamine} (1), {[N,N^′-dioctyl-N,N^′-di(quinoline-2-methyl)]-1,2-ethylene diamine} (2), {[N,N^′-dibenzyl-N,N^′-di(quinoline-2-methyl)]-1,2-ethylene diamine} (3), and (1R,2R)-(−)-N,N^′-di(quinoline-2-methyl) di-iminocyclohexane (4), were investigated as novel complexing ligands in iron-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate where ethyl-2-bromoisobutyrate was the initiator in o-xylene at 90 °C. With ligands 1 and 2 the experimental molecular weights increased gradually with monomer conversion. High to moderate conversions (87%, 43%) were obtained in relatively short times (90 min for 1 and 30 min for 2), which indicates an efficient catalyst system, but after these times a dramatic increase in viscosity of the polymerization medium led to loss of control. It is noteworthy that polymerization proceeded in a controlled manner with ligand 1, which has two rather bulky substituents on the N-atom. Such bulky ligands did not work for a copper-based system, where they led to excessive terminations or other side reactions. When the bulkiness of the substituents was significantly increased, as in ligand 3, a decrease in polymerization rate and loss of control occurred. Ligand 4 was less efficient than the other ligands, probably because the ethylene bridge was replaced by cyclohexane bridge.     

On commutativity of near-rings with generalized derivations

In this paper we prove some theorems of commutativity for near-rings with generalized derivations. As a consequence of the results obtained, we generalize some published results. Also, we give some examples to show that some conditions in some results obtained are not redundant.     

An expedient esterification of aromatic carboxylic acids using sodium bromate and sodium hydrogen sulfite

Treatment of aromatic carboxylic acids and substituted toluenes with a mixture of sodium bromate and sodium hydrogen sulfite in a two-phase system gave the corresponding esters in good yield. The intermediate α-brominated toluene was formed by the in situ generated hypobromous acid. The α-bromotoluene underwent an intermolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction with aromatic carboxylic acids present in the reaction mixture to afford the corresponding esters.