Factors affecting coercivity in (Y,Sm,Tm)3(FeGa)5O12 and (Y,Sm,Lu,Ca)3(FeGe)5O12 LPE films

Factors which influence coercivity, H_c, in (Y,Sm,Lu,Ca)₃(FeGe)₅O₁₂ films and in (Y,Sm,Tm)₃(FeGa)₅O₁₂ films grown by LPE have been identified. An anomalous layer at the film-substrate interface exhibits coercivity values different from that of the middle, bulk, portion of the film. The contribution of the transient layer at the substrate interface could be reduced by increasing the rotation rate while immersing the substrate into the melt. Films containing Ga show lower coercivities than films containing CaGe possibly because films with Ga are more uniform in composition. Films with Ga show increased coercivities with increasing growth rates and with increasing Sm content throughout the film.     

Mononuclear anionic formyl complexes; synthesis and properties

A series of kinetically unstable mononuclear anionic formyl complexes have been prepared by the action of Li(C₂H₅)₃BH on neutral metal carbonyl precursors. One of these, Li⁺[(CO)₄Mn(COC₆H₅)(CHO)]^?, is shown to decompose by a hydride transfer disproportionation mechanism involving the by-product (C₂H₅)₃B.     

Determination of optical purity at isotopically chiral sites by 2H NMR

Techniques have been developed which permit the direct analysis of optical purity in α-deuterated amines and carboxylic acids.     

Low-energy behavior of the 3He(α, γ)7Be cross section

Cross sections for the ³He(α, γ)⁷Be reaction have been measured at several energies from E_c.m. = 165 to 1169 keV by counting prompt γ-rays from a windowless, differentially pumped, recirculating, ³He gas target. The cross-section factor S₃₄(E_c.m.) and branching ratio γ₁/γ₀ were determined at each energy. Cross sections were also measured at E_c.m. = 947 and 1255 keV by counting the γ-rays from the ⁷Be produced in a ³He gas cell with a Ni entrance foil. Combining the results of these two independent experiments yields a zero-energy intercept for the cross-section factor of S₃₄(0) = 0.53 ± 0.03 keV · b. The relationship between these measurements and several theoretical calculations, and the import of the extrapolated cross section for the solar-neutrino problem are discussed.     

Mechanistic divergence of two closely related aldol-like enzyme-catalysed reactions

The analysis of the interaction of threose 4-phosphate and 2-deoxyerythrose 4-phosphate with 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase (DAH7PS) reveals previously unrecognised mechanistic differences between the DAH7PS-catalysed reaction and that catalysed by the closely related enzyme, 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate 8-phosphate synthase (KDO8PS).