The strain-hardening behaviour of linear and long-chain-branched polyolefin melts in extensional flows

By generalizing the Doi-Edwards model to the Molecular Stress Function theory of Wagner and Schaeffer, the extensional viscosities of polyolefin melts in uniaxial, equibiaxial and planar constant strain-rate experiments starting from the isotropic state can be described quantitatively. While the strain hardening of four linear polymer melts (two high-density polyethylenes, a polystyrene and a polypropylene) can be accounted for by a tube diameter that decreases affinely with the average stretch, the two long-chain-branched polymer melts considered (a low-density polyethylene and a long-chain branched polypropylene) show enhanced strain hardening in extensional flows due to the presence of long-chain branches. This can be quantified by a molecular stress function, the square of which is quadratic in the average stretch and which follows from the junction fluctuation theory of Flory. The ultimate magnitude of the strain-hardening effect is governed by a maximum value of the molecular stress, which is specific to the polymer melt considered and which is the only free non-linear parameter of the theory. Received: 1 June 1999/Accepted: 24 November 1999     

Synthesis, characterization and antifungal activity of group 12 metal complexes of 2-acetylpyridine-N-ethylthiosemicarbazone (H4EL) and 2-acetylpyridine-N-oxide-N-ethylthiosemicarbazone (H4ELO)

Reaction of group 12 metal halides in ethanol with the thiosemicarbazones 2-acetylpyridine-⁴N-ethylthiosemicarbazone (H4EL) and 2-acetylpyridine-N-oxide-⁴N-ethylthiosemicarbazone (H4ELO) produced the compounds [M(H4EL)X₂] and [M(H4ELO)X₂] [M=Zn(II), Cd(II) or Hg(II), X=Cl, Br or I]. The ligands and complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and by IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹³Cd, ¹⁹⁹Hg) spectroscopy, and the structures of H4ELO·H₂O and the complexes [Cd(H4EL)I₂]·2DMSO, [Hg(H4EL)Br₂]–DMSO, [Zn(H4ELO)Cl₂] and [Zn(H4ELO)Br₂] were determined by X-ray diffraction. The metal centers in the complexes have coordination number five, H4EL and H4ELO behaving as neutral NNS- and ONS-tridentate ligands, respectively. The coordination polyhedra are close to tetragonal pyramids, the degree of distortion towards trigonal bipyramids was estimated by τ calculation. Against the pathogenic fungi Aspergillus niger and Paecilomyces variotii, the mercury complexes of H4ELO had activities that at some doses exceeded that of nystatin.     

Li5ReN4, ein Lithium–Nitridorhenat(VII) mit anti‐Flußspat‐Überstruktur

Li₅ReN₄, a Lithium Nitridorhenate(VII) with Anti Fluorite Superstructure At 673 K Li₃N reacts with Re powder under N₂ to pale yellow, microcrystalline Li₅ReN₄. The structure determination is based on X‐ray powder data: Spacegroup Pmmn (No. 59), Z = 2, a = 6.719(1) Å, b = 6.627(1) Å, c = 4.893(1) Å. The compound crystallizes in an anti‐type of a fluorite superstructure. In comparison to the aristo‐type – CaF₂ – in Li₅ReN₄ tetrahedral interstices of a ccp nitrogen partial structure are unoccupied. The distribution of these vacancies is related with its orthorhombic distortion. Under aspects of crystal chemistry the tetragonally crystallizing compounds Li₆MN₄ with M = Mo, W result by partially filling up such vacancies.