Synthesis of thermally stable aromatic poly(spiroorthocarbonate)s having a Cardo or bent structure

Novel poly(spiroorthocarbonate)s [poly(SOC)]s having a Cardo or bent structure were synthesized by polycondensation of several bis‐catechols having fluorene (BCFL), spirobisindane (BCSPI), or spirobischromane (BCSPC) in the structure with 2,2,6,6‐tetrachlorobenzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d’]bis[1,3]dioxole (4ClBD). Synthesis of poly(SOC)s was confirmed by NMR and IR spectrometry. The poly(SOC)s obtained from BCFL or BCSPC were soluble in common organic solvents. The glass transition temperature of the poly(SOC)s was not detected by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in the range of 50–300 °C. The 10 wt % decomposition temperature of the poly(SOC)s was found to be above 400 °C. These results indicated the high thermal stability of the poly(SOC)s. Soluble poly(SOC)s could be possessed to form a film on a glass plate by the spin coat method. The obtained polymer films were 0.2 μm in thickness with 95% light transmission in the optical wavelength range. These results suggested that the Cardo or bent structure may block the packing of the main‐chain of the structure, which improves the solubility of the polymers, increases transparency, and enhances the thermal stability of SOCs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1409‐1416     

Comparison between discrete dipole approximation and other modelling methods for the plasmonic response of gold nanospheres

We investigate the plasmonic response of gold nanospheres calculated using discrete dipole approximation validated against the results from other discretization methods, namely the finite-difference time-domain method and the finite-element methods. Comparisons are also made with calculations from analytical methods such as the Mie solution and the null-field method with discrete sources. We consider the nanoparticle interacting with the incident field both in free space and sitting on a planar substrate. In the latter case, discrete dipole approximation with surface interaction is used; this includes the interaction with the ‘image dipoles’ using Sommerfeld integration.     

Radionuclide production with cyclotrons (RAPUNCL)

ABSTRACT

RAPUNCL, a study course on Radionuclide Production with Cyclotrons, was organized in September 2017 in Mannheim. The intention was to test the feasibility of an educational program which is mainly driven by the input of the participating students. All aspects of target construction and operation have been covered in detail. Also the relevant aspects of Radiation Protection have been discussed. The students used intensively IAEA databases and MC simulation programs to model target design and operations. Topics for improvement have been identified and will be realized in the next course. Sources of funding have to be found to be able to organize the summer school in a sustainable way.     

Selective nucleophilic additions to poly(methacrylate)s containing isothiocyanate moieties in the side chains and their application in cross‐linking

Reactivity of isothiocynate moieties in the side chain of polymethacrylate with amine, alcohol, or thiol was investigated, and the reactions were applied to preparation of networked polymers. Isothiocyanate of polymer side chain rapidly reacted with amines without a catalyst, to give the corresponding thioureas. However, it did not react with alcohols or thiols under the same conditions. Using 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) as a catalyst, addition of alcohols or thiols to the isothiocyanate proceeded smoothly. Addition of amines, alcohols, and thiols to isothiocyanates moiety contained in the side chain of polymethacrylate also proceeded readily with or without the catalyst, respectively, to effectively give the corresponding side chain modified polymers. Occurrence of these additions was confirmed by ¹H NMR and IR measurements. Glass transition temperatures and thermal decomposition temperatures of the obtained polymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Networked polymers were easily prepared by addition of 1,6‐hexamethylenediamine or hexamethylene glycol to the polymethacrylate having isothiocyanato groups. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1832–1842     

Resonant production of color octet muons at Future Circular Collider-based muon-proton colliders

We investigate the resonant production of color octet muons in order to explore the discovery potential of Future Circular Collider(FCC)-based μp colliders.It is shown that the search potentials of μp colliders essentially surpass the potential of the LHC and would exceed that of the FCC pp collider.     

Oxidative Addition of Haloheteroarenes to Palladium(0): Concerted versus SNAr‐Type Mechanism

The kinetics of the oxidative additions of haloheteroarenes HetX (X=I, Br, Cl) to [Pd⁰(PPh₃)₂] (generated from [Pd⁰(PPh₃)₄]) have been investigated in THF and DMF and the rate constants have been determined. In contrast to the generally accepted concerted mechanism, Hammett plots obtained for substituted 2‐halopyridines and solvent effects reveal a reaction mechanism dependent on the halide X of HetX: an unprecedented S_NAr‐type mechanism for X=Br or Cl and a classical concerted mechanism for X=I. These results are supported by DFT studies.     

Thick Domain Walls Coupled with Viscous Fluid and Electromagnetic Field in Lyra Geometry

In this paper, we have obtained plane symmetric cosmological models of thick domain walls with viscous field coupled with electromagnetic field in the framework of Lyra geometry, by using equation of state. Physical and geometrical implications of the models are also discussed in the presence of magnetic field.