Epistemic Horizons and the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

In-principle restrictions on the amount of information that can be gathered about a system have been proposed as a foundational principle in several recent reconstructions of the formalism of quantum mechanics. However, it seems unclear precisely why one should be thus restricted. We investigate the notion of paradoxical self-reference as a possible origin of such epistemic horizons by means of a fixed-point theorem in Cartesian closed categories due to Lawvere that illuminates and unifies the different perspectives on self-reference.     

Relaxation and thermal vibrations at the NaF(100) surface

The relaxation and the thermal vibrations of the NaF(100) surface are investigated in the temperature range between 25 K and 230 K by means of low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and a subsequent I(V) structure analysis based on the tensor LEED approach (TLEED). According to the experiments, the NaF(100) surface is not significantly relaxed and has the ideal truncated bulk structure. The thermal vibrational amplitudes of the ions in the topmost layer are significantly enhanced compared to the bulk by a factor of 1.35 ± 0.15 and are equal within the error-bars for Na⁺ and F^? ions. Moreover, the relaxation and the dynamics of the NaF(100) surface are investigated using periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations using pseudopotentials. In agreement with the experimental findings, the calculated relaxation of the NaF(100) surface is weak with static shifts of the ions of 0.01 Å to 0.02 Å. In the topmost layer, the Na⁺ ions are predicted to be slightly inward shifted, whereas the F^? ions are outward shifted, in accordance to predictions of previous shell-model calculations. A Born Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BO-MD) simulation of the dynamics at the NaF(100) surface leads to a smaller enhancement of thermal motions of the ions at the surface compared to the experiment.     

Untersuchungen an Stickstoff—Jod-Verbindungen. VII. Das IR-Spektrum des Stickstofftrijodid-1-Ammoniaks im Bereich der N–J-Grundschwingungen und Kraftkonstanten der N–J-Bindungen

Studies on nitrogen iodine compounds. VII. The IR spectrum of nitrogen triiodide-1 ammonia in the range of N—I fundamental vibrations and the valence force constants of the N—I bonds New infrared spectra in the region 33—600 cm^?1 of ¹⁴NI₃ · ¹⁴NH₃, ¹⁵NI₃ · ¹⁵NH₃ and ¹⁴NI₃ · pyridine, respectively, have been obtained. In addition, the infrared spectrum of ¹⁴NI₃ · ¹⁴ND₃, which has been prepared for the first time, was obtained. All absorption frequencies can be coordinated on the ground of the molecule model for the NI₃ scaffold with 5 atoms Z₂XY₂ of the symmetry C_2v which has been proved by X ray examination. A set of force constants has been calculated by approximation. The various nitrogeniodine valence force constants are discussed.     

Struktur von 7,11-Diphenyl-2,4-diazaspiro[5,5]undecan-1,3,5,9-tetraonen durch LIS-NMR

A semi-quantitative method for determining distances between a possible coordination centre and protons from LIS-NMR values is developed for the title compounds3, although these have four coordination points. This makes it possible to propose structures and conformations for the isomers of3.

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H.-H. Otto undH. Yamamura, Ann. Chem., im Druck.     

What is the role of acid–acid interactions in asymmetric phosphoric acid organocatalysis? A detailed mechanistic study using interlocked and non-interlocked catalysts

Organocatalysis has revolutionized asymmetric synthesis. However, the supramolecular interactions of organocatalysts in solution are often neglected, although the formation of catalyst aggregates can have a strong impact on the catalytic reaction. For phosphoric acid based organocatalysts, we have now established that catalyst–catalyst interactions can be suppressed by using macrocyclic catalysts, which react predominantly in a monomeric fashion, while they can be favored by integration into a bifunctional catenane, which reacts mainly as phosphoric acid dimers. For acyclic phosphoric acids, we found a strongly concentration dependent behavior, involving both monomeric and dimeric catalytic pathways. Based on a detailed experimental analysis, DFT-calculations and direct NMR-based observation of the catalyst aggregates, we could demonstrate that intermolecular acid–acid interactions have a drastic influence on the reaction rate and stereoselectivity of asymmetric transfer-hydrogenation catalyzed by chiral phosphoric acids.

Supramolecular acid–acid interactions lead to competing monomeric and dimeric pathways in phosphoric acid catalysis – so that stereoselectivities depend on catalyst concentration.     

Mass spectrometric analysis of ceramic components for solid oxide fuel cells

For the determination of trace impurities in ceramic components of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), some mass spectrometric methods have been applied such as spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS), laser ionization mass spectrometry (LIMS), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Due to a lack of suitable standard reference materials for quantifying of analytical results on La _x Sr _y MnO₃ cathode material a matrix-matched synthetic standard-high purity initial compounds doped with trace elements-was prepared in order to determine the relative sensitivity coefficients in SSMS and LA-ICP-MS. Radiofrequency glow discharge mass spectrometry (rf-GDMS) was developed for trace analysis and depth profiling of thick non-conducting layers. Surface analytical techniques, such as secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and sputtered neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS), were used to determine the element distribution on surfaces (homogeneity) and the surface contaminants of SOFC ceramic layers.Dedicated to Professor Dr. rer. nat. Hubertus Nickel on the occasion of his 65th birthday