Theoretical considerations in the zone melting of organic substances Analysis of the diffusion gradient

Further evidence is gathered in the theory of the zone melting of organic compounds under ideal equilibrium conditions by a kinetic study of the diffusion gradient in the melt zone. A mathematical analysis is developed for the concentration distribution of impurities in the moving molten zone, which yields an expression for the concentration gradient at the liquid-solid recrystallisation interface. These expressions describe the transport process and a measure of the rate of segregation of impurity at the recrystallisation interface. In addition, these equations have been programmed on a computer and concentration profiles for two zone velocities have been graphed. It has been found that the concentration gradient is independent of the length of the zone under ideal equilibrium conditions for pure diffusion.     

A potassium-selective electrode with solid internal contact

The performance characteristics of potassium-selective electrodes made with valinomycin membranes plasticized with dioctyl adipate or sebacate, and with a solid silver contact or an internal solution, have been critically examined. The choice of electrode depends on a number of factors, including the interfering ion(s) present. The electrodes can be used for determination of potassium in natural waters.     

Molecular Rydberg transitions. Intermediate coupling in simple bromides

An intermediate coupling analysis of the low-energy π → σ Rydberg transitions of hydrogen bromide, cyanogen bromide, acetylene bromide and alkyl bromides is presented. Exchange and spin-orbit coupling parameters are calculated and their variations discussed. The Br 5s orbital is delocalized in the larger alkyl bromides and Br 4p is heavily involved in π bonding in acetylene and cyanogen bromides.     

The iodates of scandium

A dihydrate, a monohydrate, and three polymorphs of the anhydride Sc(IO₃)₃ have been prepared and studied. Sc(IO₃)₃·2H₂O was prepared by gel growth and by precipitation and evaporation at room temperature. The γ-anhydride can be crystallized from boiling water or nitric acid solution. The other compounds are formed on heating the dihydrate, which also dehydrates very slowly at room temperature. The α-anhydride is amorphous. The β-anhydride generates second harmonics, with about twice the efficiency of quartz. In addition differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared absorption, and powder X-ray diffraction results are presented.     

Automated chemical separations in routine activation analysis

In recent years increased information is required about the distribution of elements at low concentration levels in the biosphere. Neutron activation analysis can play an important role if it can supply many data at relatively low cost. As some of the concentrations are too low for determination by non-destructive techniques, equipment for chemical separations on a routine basis is necessary. For environmental studies a separation scheme has been developed successfully for arsenic, antimony, cadmium, copper, mercury, selenium and zinc. It is based on a combination of distillation and ion-exchange. Special attention is paid to the prevention of interference from bromine and sodium. Additional information about chromium, cobalt, nickel and tungsten can easily be obtained. Experience gathered with an automated instrument for fifty samples a week is described.     

Methyl isobutyl ketone extraction of iodide complexes from sulphuric acid-potassium iodide media and back-extraction into an aqueous phase

The methyl isobutyl ketone extraction of 15 elements (Cu, Ag, Zn, Cd, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, As, Sb, Bi, Se, Te, Mo and Pd) as iodide complexes from 0.1-5 M sulphuric acid/0.01-0.5M potassium iodide media has been studied. At the optimum potassium iodide concentrations, and a 1:2 v v ratio of organic to aqueous phase, Cu(II), Ag, Cd, In(III), Tl(III), Sb(III), Bi, Te(IV) and palladium(II) are completely extracted in a single step from 1-5M sulphuric acid. All these elements except palladium are also quantitatively extracted from 0.05-0.5M iodide/2M sulphuric acid. Zn, Sn(IV) and As(III) are completely extracted at high acid and iodide concentrations, and at the highest concentrations of acid and iodide investigated, Ge is partly extracted and Mo(VI) is slightly extracted. The extraction of Se(IV) is incomplete because of its reduction to the elemental state by iodide. The back-extraction of the elements has also been investigated and the forms in which they are extracted and potential analytical separations and interferences are discussed.     

A photometric detector based on a blue light-emitting diode

The suitability of blue light-emitting diodes as radiation sources in molecular absorption spectroscopy was evaluated. Electronic as well as spectral considerations are discussed. A transducer based on a blue light-emitting diode and a photodiode is described which yields direct absorbance readings by passing the photocurrent to an integrated circuit logarithmic converter. The performance of this device was tested for commonly used spectrophotometric procedures for Cr, Mn, Zn, Fe and Cl and compared with conventional molecular absorption spectroscopy. Also investigated was the application of the transducer as a detector in flow-injection analysis.     

Electronic absorption and MCD spectra for Pt(AuPPh3)8(2+) and Au(AuPPh3)8(3+) cluster complexes in poly(methyl methacrylate) thin films at 295 and 10 K

Electronic absorption and 8 T magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra are reported for nitrate salts of Pt(AuPPh3)8(2+) and Au(AuPPh3)8(3+) in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMM) thin films at 295 and 10 K in the vis-UV region from 1.6 to 3.6 microm(-1) (1 microm(-1) = 10(4) cm(-1). Enhanced resolution is observed at low temperature, especially for Pt(AuPPh3)8(2+), which emphasizes the differences in the nature of the low-energy excited configurations and states between Pt(AuPPh3)8(2+) and Au(AuPPh3)8(3+). The absorption and MCD spectra for Pt(AuPPh3)8(2+) are interpreted in terms of a combination of excitations from filled Pt 5d orbitals to empty Au framework 6s orbitals and intraframework Au8(2+) (IF) transitions, whereas the spectra for Au(AuPPh3)8(3+) are ascribed entirely to Au IF transitions.     

Taxumairols X--Z,new taxoids from Taiwanese Taxus mairei

In addition to 19-dydroxybaccatin III, 1beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-deacetylbaccatin I, taxayuntin G and 13-O-deacetyltaxumairol Z (4), three new taxane diterpenoids, taxumairols X (1), Y (2), Z (3) have been isolated from extracts of the Formosan Taxus mairei (LEMEE & LEVL.) S. Y. HU. Compounds 1-2 belong to the 11(15-->1)-abeo-taxane system, having a tetrahydrofuran ring at C-2, C-3, C-4 and C-20. The new compound 3 and 4, which was misidentified previously are derivatives of 11(15-->1)-abeo-taxane with an intact oxirane system. The structures of compounds 1-4 were elucidated on the basis of extensive two dimensional (2D)-NMR analysis.     

Chemical fractionation in the solar system

The cosmochemical and geochemical history of planetary material is reflected in relative and absolute abundances of two groups of trace elements; siderophiles and volatiles. Many of these elements can be determined at the requires levels only by radiochemical neutron activation analysis. The abundance patterns of elements in chondritic meteorites result from condensation processes in the solar nebula. The composition of planetisimals which bombarded the Moon is characterized from trace elements in lunar breccias, and is also related to nebula processes. Trace elements in anorthosites and basalts from Earth and Moon suggest that the Moon is refractory-rich and volatile-poor relative to the Earth.