The external demagnetizing factor and the static characteristic loop

In this paper a proposal is put forward for the calculation of the shearing factor N_S linked to the well known, demagnetization coefficient N_D, from the data of a sheared saturation loop, obtained by a non-toroidal, open circuit hysteresis measurement. Following that, the paper illustrates the way to recover the real static loop data from an open circuit, measured data. The proposal is based on the hyperbolic model. The proposed method was illustrated on the tests carried out on two closed and open toroidal samples, mimicking the demagnetization effect of the open circuit VSM measurement, made of NO Fe–Si electrical steel sheets. These test results, presented here, agree very well with the calculated results, based on the hyperbolic modeling.     

Configurational Lability at Tetrahedral Phosphorus: syn/anti-Isomerization of a P-Stereogenic Phosphiranium Cation by Intramolecular Epimerization at Phosphorus

Tetrahedral main-group compounds are normally configurationally stable, but P-epimerization of the chiral phosphiranium cations syn- or anti-[Mes*P(Me)CH₂CHPh][OTf] (Mes*=2,4,6-(t-Bu)₃C₆H₂) occurred under mild conditions at 60 °C in CD₂Cl₂, resulting in isomerization to give a syn-enriched equilibrium mixture. Ion exchange with excess [NBu₄][Δ-TRISPHAT] (Δ-TRISPHAT=Δ-P(o-C₆Cl₄O₂)₃) followed by chromatography on silica removed [NBu₄][OTf] and gave mixtures of syn- and anti-[Mes*P(Me)CH₂CHPh][Δ-TRISPHAT]?x[NBu₄][Δ-TRISPHAT]. NMR spectroscopy showed that isomerization proceeded with epimerization at P and retention at C. DFT calculations are consistent with a mechanism involving P-C cleavage to yield a hyperconjugation-stabilized carbocation, pyramidal inversion promoted by σ-interaction of the P lone pair with the neighboring β-carbocation, and ring closure with inversion of configuration at P.     

Total Syntheses of (−)-Minovincine and (−)-Aspidofractinine through a Sequence of Cascade Reactions

We report 8-step syntheses of (−)-minovincine and (−)-aspidofractinine using easily available and inexpensive reagents and catalyst. A key element of the strategy was the utilization of a sequence of cascade reactions to rapidly construct the penta- and hexacyclic frameworks. These cascade transformations included organocatalytic Michael-aldol condensation, a multistep anionic Michael-S_N2 cascade reaction, and Mannich reaction interrupted Fischer indolization. To streamline the synthetic routes, we also investigated the deliberate use of steric effect to secure various chemo- and regioselective transformations.     

Water Catalysis of the Reaction of Methanol with OH Radical in the Atmosphere is Negligible

Faced with the contradictory results of two recent experimental studies [Jara‐Toro et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017 , 56, 2166 and Chao et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019 , 58, 5013] of the possible catalytic effect of water vapor on CH₃OH + OH reaction, we report calculations that corroborate the conclusion made by Chao et al. and extend the rate constant evaluation down to 200 K. The rate constants of the CH₃OH + OH reaction catalyzed by a water molecule are computed as functions of temperature and relative humidity using high‐level electronic structure and kinetics calculations. The Wuhan–Minnesota Scaling (WMS) method is used to provide accurate energetics to benchmark a density functional for direct dynamics. Both high‐frequency and low‐frequency anharmonicities are included. Variational and tunneling effects are treated by canonical variational transition state theory with multidimensional small‐curvature tunneling. And, most significantly, we include multistructural effects in the rate constant calculations. Our calculations show that the catalytic effect of water vapor is not observable at 200–400 K.     

Structures and thermodynamic properties of aluminum oxyhalides: a computational study

The molecular geometries and vibrational frequencies of aluminum oxyhalides, AlOX, and their dimers, (AlOX)₂, have been calculated by MP2 and density functional methods. The monomeric molecules are linear while the dimers have a D _2h -symmetry geometry with a four-membered ring, in which the oxygen atoms serve as bridging ligands. Different thermodynamic properties have been calculated; for AlOBr and AlOI for the first time.     

Isolation of water-soluble organic matter from atmospheric aerosol

The development of a solid phase extraction (SPE) method is presented, which is capable of isolating approx. 60% of the water-soluble organic compounds from aerosol samples. The aqueous extracts of the filter samples were acidified then passed through an SPE column. Four silica-based and two polymeric reversed phase columns were tested and similar recoveries of the organic carbon were found. The isolated organic matter was nearly free from inorganic ions, which are major constituents of atmospheric aerosol. This fraction accounted for a major part of the UV absorption above 250 nm and fluorescence activity of the aerosol extract. The precision of the method was tested by performing three parallel sample preparations with Oasis HLB columns. It was found that the relative standard deviation of the carbon content of the isolated organic matter was better than 7%, which indicated the reliability of the method. In the atmospheric aerosol research the newly developed sample preparation method facilitates the physical and chemical characterisation of water-soluble organic compounds without the interference of inorganic constituents.     

Annealing of the β-modification of polypropylene

Expressive memory effect has been proven in the course of the annealing of the β-modification of polypropylene (β-PP). The character of the structural changes taking place in β-PP during annealing strongly depends on the thermal history. In dependence on the thermal history βα or ββ-recrystallization takes place during thermal treatment. In case the annealing starts from the crystallization temperature β-PP is recrystallized into a more perfect structure with higher melting point - similarly to thermodynamically stable modifications. The samples cooled below a certain temperature before subjected to annealing transform partly or fully into the α-modification. The βα-recrystallization tendency prevalent on the effect of recooling can be reduced or eliminated with the aid of stepwise annealing with decreasing temperature steps.     

Detection efficiency and range measurements of alphas and protons in cellulose nitrate

The range, detection efficiency and etching development of alpha tracks were studied in cellulose nitrate. Some other track revelation techniques employing the swelling of latent alpha and proton tracks are discussed.