Light Neutral Clusters in Supernova Matter

Physics of Atomic Nuclei - The role of weakly bound neutral clusters, such as dineutrons and tetraneutrons, in matter of high density and high temperature is discussed. Under such conditions, which...     

Single Atom Ring Contraction of Peptide Macrocycles Using Cornforth Rearrangement

Site-selective transformations of densely functionalized scaffolds have been a topic of intense interest in chemical synthesis. Herein we have repurposed the rarely used Cornforth rearrangement as a tool to effect a single-atom ring contraction in cyclic peptide backbones. Investigations into the kinetics of the rearrangement were carried out to understand the impact of electronic factors, ring size, and linker type on the reaction efficiency. Conformational analysis was undertaken and showed how subtle differences in the peptide backbone result in substrate-dependent reaction profiles. This methodology can now be used to perform conformation-activity studies. The chemistry also offers an opportunity to install building blocks that are not compatible with traditional C-to-N iterative synthesis of macrocycle precursors.     

Stereoselective isomerisation of N-allyl aziridines into geometrically stable Z enamines by using rhodium hydride catalysis

In the presence of rhodium(I) hydride catalysts, tertiary N-allylamines are known to isomerise into E enamines. In contrast, we have recently found that N-allylaziridines isomerise to form Z enamines. On the basis of literature data, the most likely mechanism of isomerisation would involve a rhodium hydride addition/beta-hydride elimination sequence. We show that the observed selectivity cannot be adequately explained by this pathway and is more consistent with initial CH-activation followed by rearrangement to form a five-membered cyclometallated rhodium intermediate. This intermediate subsequently undergoes reductive elimination to form a C--H bond. The resulting geometrically stable Z enamines are useful building blocks for stereoselective synthesis.     

Preliminary results of the cross-section measurement of e<Superscript>+</Superscript>e<Superscript>−</Superscript> → φ(1020)η process with the CMD-3 detector at VEPP-2000 collider

We report preliminary results on the cross section of the process e⁺e^? → φ(1020)η measured at 30 center-of-mass energy points in the range from 1.59 up to 2.0 GeV. Data analysis is based on the integrated luminosity of 22 pb^?1 collected with the CMD-3 detector in 2011–2012. The obtained cross section agrees with the BaBar measurement and has better statistical accuracy.     

Nanocomposites based on polyimide thermoplastics and magnesium silicate nanoparticles with montmorillonite structure

Nanocomposites based on a thermoplastic polyimide, poly{1,3-bis(3′,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene[4,4′-bis(4″-N-phenoxy)diphenyl sulfone]imide}, and synthetic magnesium silicate nanoparticles with montmorillonite structure were prepared from melts. Efficient modification of the surface of the initial nanoparticles with (aminoethylaminomethyl)phenethyltrimethoxysilane was performed.     

Overcoming the demons of protecting groups with amphoteric molecules

Synthetic organic chemists have long depended on protecting group manipulations when faced with the challenges of chemoselectivity and functional group incompatibility. Overcoming this dependence will improve the overall efficiency of chemical synthesis. By taking advantage of orthogonally reactive functional groups, amphoteric molecules can afford access not only to more efficient and strategic syntheses but also to the development of novel chemical transformations.     

Ferroelectric phase transition in Langmuir-Blodgett films of copper phthalocyanine

A ferroelectric phase transition is observed in Langmuir-Blodgett films prepared from substituted copper phthalocyanine molecules. The linear and nonlinear dielectric properties of the films and the switching of their spontaneous polarization are investigated in the temperature range of the phase transition. The observed features can be explained by the Landau-Ginzburg model of a first-order phase transition. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 70, No. 9, 625–631 (10 November 1999)     

Studying the possibility of deep laser cooling of <Superscript>24</Superscript>Mg atoms in an optical lattice: Two-level quantum model

The possible deep laser cooling of ²⁴Mg atoms in a deep optical lattice in the presence of an additional pumping field resonant to the narrow 3s3s¹S₀ → 3s3p³P₁ (λ = 457 nm) optical transition is studied. Two quantum models of the laser cooling of atoms in the optical trap are compared. One is based on the direct numerical solution to the kinetic quantum equation for an atomic density matrix; it considers both optical pumping and quantum recoil effects during interaction between the atoms and field photons. The second, simplified model is based on decomposing the states of the atoms over the levels of vibration in the optical trap and analyzing the evolution of these states. The comparison allows derivation of optical field parameters (pumping field intensity and detuning) that ensure cooling of the atoms to minimal energies. The conditions for fast laser cooling in an optical trap are found.