Direct measurement of the twist penetration length in a single smectic A layer of colloidal virus particles

In the 1970s, deGennes discussed the fundamental geometry of smectic liquid crystals and established an analogy between the smectic A phase and superconductors. It follows that smectic layers expel twist deformations in the same way that superconductors expel magnetic field. We make a direct observation of the penetration of twist at the edge of a single isolated smectic A layer composed of chiral fd virus particles subjected to a depletion interaction. Using the LC-PolScope, we make quantitative measurements of the spatial dependence of the birefringence due to molecular tilt near the layer edges. We match data to theory for the molecular tilt penetration profile and determine the twist penetration length for this system.     

Automerization reaction of cyclobutadiene and its barrier height: an ab initio benchmark multireference average-quadratic coupled cluster study

The problem of the double bond flipping interconversion of the two equivalent ground state structures of cyclobutadiene (CBD) is addressed at the multireference average-quadratic coupled cluster level of theory, which is capable of optimizing the structural parameters of the ground, transition, and excited states on an equal footing. The barrier height involving both the electronic and zero-point vibrational energy contributions is 6.3 kcal mol(-1), which is higher than the best earlier theoretical estimate of 4.0 kcal mol(-1). This result is confirmed by including into the reference space the orbitals of the CC sigma bonds beyond the standard pi orbital space. It places the present value into the middle of the range of the measured data (1.6-10 kcal mol(-1)). An adiabatic singlet-triplet energy gap of 7.4 kcal mol(-1) between the transition state (1)B(tg) and the first triplet (3)A(2g) state is obtained. A low barrier height for the CBD automerization and a small DeltaE((3)A(2g),(1)B(1g)) gap bear some relevance on the highly pronounced reactivity of CBD, which is briefly discussed.     

Finite p-groups all of whose cyclic subgroups A, Bwith A ∩ B ≠ {1} generate an abelian group

We characterize the title p-groups for all primes p.     

Copolymerization and Copolymers of Styrene N-(2,4,6-Tribromophenyl) Maleimide with Styrene

Kinetic studies of the free radical copolymerization of N-(2,4,6- tribromophenyl) maleimide (TBPMI) with styrene in solution were carried out. The thermal and flammability characteristics of the resulting polymers were also investigated. The monomer reactivity ratios were found to be r ₁ = 0.006 ± 0.0026 (TBPMI) and r ₂ = 0.086 ± 0.0023, and the activation energy of the copolymerization reaction was E_a = 73.6 kJ/mol. The resulting copolymers showed an alternating structure regardless to the monomer feed composition. The molecular weights of the copolymers obtained are relatively high and gradually increase by increasing the TBPMI fraction in the feed, whereas the T_g's showed similar values (540 K) for the equimolar ratio of the comonomers. The course of copolymerization up to high conversion was followed by microcalorimetry and is characterized by a remarkable increase of the initial reaction rate as the fraction of TBPMI was increased; it is also higher at higher total monomer concentrations. However, the overall conversion decreases when the fraction of TBPMI is higher than the equimolar ratio. The thermal stability of the alternating copolymers is higher than that of polystyrene, and their mixture showed appreciable flame-retardant properties, as demonstrated by a limiting oxygen index measurement.     

Copolymers of Bromine-Containing Monomers. 5. Terpolymerization of Acryionitrile,Styrene, and Pentabromophenyl Acrylate

The terpolymerization of acryionitrile, styrene, and pentabromophenyl acrylate in dimethylformamide solution was investigated. Experimental terpolymerization data agreed well with calculations using the Alfrey-Goldfinger equation. The relationship between monomer feed and terpolymer compositions are presented on triangular coordinate graphs, and the lines of unique and the lines of binary azeotropic composition were identified. No point of true ternary azeotropic composition was found but a “pseudoazeotropic” region was identified. The experimental results of the terpolymerization agreed well with the theoretical curves over a wide range of monomer composition up to high conversions. The influence of pentabromophenyl acrylate units on the thermal and flammability characteristics of the terpolymers are described.     

The proton affinity of the superbase 1,8-bis(tetramethylguanidino)naphthalene (TMGN) and some related compounds: a theoretical study

The spatial and electronic structure of the very strong neutral organic bases bis(tetramethylguanidino)naphthalene (TMGN), 4,5-bis(tetramethylguanidino)fluorene (TMGF) and some related compounds are explored by ab initio computational methods. Their affinity towards the proton is scrutinized both in the gas phase and in solution in acetonitrile. The protonation at the most basic center (the imine nitrogen) yields asymmetric and relatively strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds (IHB). It is found that the angular strain effect and steric repulsion practically vanish in TMGN which implies that its high absolute proton affinity (APA) has its origin in the inherent basicity of the guanidine fragment and a relatively strong IHB in [TMGN]H(+). The nonbonded repulsions in TMGF are higher than in TMGN, which in conjunction with a slightly stronger IHB in the corresponding conjugate acid makes it more basic: APA(TMGF)>APA(TMGN). An interesting new phenomenon is observed in both TMGN and TMGF: the proton triggers the resonance stabilization not only in the directly bonded guanidine moiety, but also in the other guanidine fragment which is more distant from the proton, albeit in a less pronounced manner. The latter feature is termed a partial protonation. This supports the hydrogen bonding and contributes to the IHB stabilization. Convincing evidence is presented that the solvent effect in acetonitrile is determined by two antagonistic factors: 1) the intrinsic (gas phase) proton affinity and 2) the size effect which is given by the ratio between the positive charge in molecular cation (conjugate acid) and the magnitude of the molecular surface. The resulting pK(a) values are given by an interplay of these factors.     

In search of ultrastrong Brønsted neutral organic superacids: a DFT study on some cyclopentadiene derivatives

An efficient but reasonably accurate B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) computational procedure showed that pentasubstituted cyclopentadienes such as (CN)5C5H, (NO2)5C5H, and (NC)5C5H containing strongly electron-withdrawing groups are neutral organic superacids of unprecedented strength. The boldface denotes the atom attached to the cyclopentadiene framework. All of them exhibit prototropic tautomerism by forming somewhat more stable structures with C=NH, NO2H, and N=CH exocyclic fragments, respectively. The acidity (DeltaH(acid)) of these is lower, but only to a rather small extent. The DeltaH(acid) enthalpies of these last three tautomers are estimated to be 271, 276, and 282 kcal mol(-1), respectively. Hence, the most stable tautomers of (CN)5C5H and (NC)5C5H represent a legitimate target for synthetic chemists. On the other hand, (NO2)5C5H is less suitable for practical applications, because of its high energy density. The origin of the highly pronounced acidity of these compounds was analyzed by using the recently developed triadic formula. It is found that very high Koopmans' ionization energy (IE)n(Koop) of conjugate bases exerts a decisive influence on acidity. It follows as a corollary that the overwhelming effect leading to very high acidity is due to the properties of the final state. An alternative picture is offered by homodesmotic reactions, wherein the cyclic systems are compared with their linear counterparts. It is found that the acidity of cyclopentadiene (CP) is a consequence of aromatic stabilization in the CP- anion. The extreme acidity of pentacyanocyclopentadiene (CN)5C5H is due to aromatization of the five-membered ring and a strong anionic resonance effect in the resultant conjugate base. The neutral organic superacids predicted by the present calculations may help to bridge the gap between existing very strong acids and bases.     

Elektrophorese der halogenokomplexe von Hg(II), Bi(III), Cd(II), Pb(II) und -Cu(II) : Chlorokomplexe in chlorwasserstoffsäure

An apparatus for heavy-current and high-tension electrophoresis on filter paper is described This apparatus enables one to avoid the difficulties that occur in electrophoresis in base electrolytes that are highly concentrated or show greater electric conductivity The zones migrate along the paper strips with constant speed and, consequently, it is possible to measure the mobility The effective length of the filter paper strips is 660 mm Correction of the apparent mobility in the porous adsorbent is treated thoroughly.Diagrams of the electrophoretic mobility of the chloro-complexes of Hg(II), Bi(III), Cd(II), Pb(II), and Cu(II) in hydrochloric acid, are given in the experimental part The concentration of the hydrochloric acid varied between 0.1N and 6N In 6N HCl all the metals investigated are present asani onic complexes. Hg, Bi.Cd, and Pb chloro-complexes show a pronounced maximum of mobility in the anionic range. The sequence of the zones in the direction anode to cathode is Hg, B1, Cd, Pb, Lu al 0.1–2.3N HCl and B1, Hg, Cd, Pb.Cu at2.3–6N HCl.Finally, the electrophoretic separation of a mixture of Hg, Bi, Cd, Pb, Cu in 1N, 2N and 4N HCl is illustrated Complete separation of the zones was achieved in each experiment     

The existence of symmetric designs with parameters (105, 40, 15)

The existence of symmetric designs with parameters (105, 40, 15) was shown. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Combin Designs 7: 17–19, 1999