Photolysis of hexamethyldisilane at 206 nm

The photolysis of Me₆Si₂ at 206 nm results in two main decomposition processes: simple Si---Si bond breaking with a quantum yield of Φ = 0.21 ± 0.03, and Me₃SiH elimination with the concomitant formation of Me₂SiCH₂ with Φ = 0.18 ± 0.01. There is also a minor decomposition channel with a very small quantum yield, Φ = (5.6 ± 0.2) × 10⁻³, which results in the formation of Me₄Si and Me₂Si. The main fate of the excited Me₆Si₂ molecule produced during photolysis is stabilization by collisional deactivation. The end products observed indicate that the reaction pathways followed by the main intermediates, Me₃Si and Me₂SiCH₂, are the same as those found in the photolysis of Me₄Si (Ahmed et al., J. Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chem. 86 (1995) 33).     

Catalytic Properties of Acid Solutions and the Structure of Acid–Base Complexes with Strong Hydrogen Bonds

The catalytic action of acid solutions involves an equilibrium step in the formation of a reactive complex of reactant molecules with catalyst entities. The relative concentrations of these complexes are determined by using thermodynamic parameters (acidity functions and activities of catalyst components). Data on the structure of complexes with strong H-bonds can be obtained from the vibrational spectra of these species. These data are required for establishing the mechanisms of catalytic reactions and for predicting the catalytic properties of acid solutions containing these complexes.     

Formation of pyrrolo[2,3-f]quinolines from substituted 5-methyl-6-aminomoles by the combes reaction

It is shown that the reaction of 2, 3, 5-trimethyl-6-amino-indole with 1, 3-diketones is a convenient method for the preparation of angular IH-pyrrolo[2,3-f]quinolines, while the presence of a methyl group on the pyrrolic nitrogen atom of the initial indole as a result of steric hindrance completely blocks cyclization to the corresponding pyrroloquinolines.Mordovskii State Educational Institute, Saransk 430007. Moscow State University, Moscow 119899. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No 11, pp. 1499–1501, November, 1995. Original article submitted May 23, 1995.     

Resolution of a paradox in the electrophoresis of DNA in agarose gels

A paradox was observed in a previous study of the electrophoresis of linear DNA fragments in agarose gels (D. L. Holmes and N. C. Stellwagen, Electrophoresis 1990, 11, 5-15). The pore size of the agarose matrix was more accurately determined if the root-mean-square radius of gyration was used to measure DNA macromolecular size. However, the Ogston equations were obeyed and other gel parameters such as the apparent fiber radius and fiber volume appeared to be better described if the geometric mean radius was used to measure DNA size. This paradox can be resolved if relative mobilities (with respect to the smallest DNA molecule in the data set) are used to construct the Ferguson plots, instead of absolute mobilities. Using relative mobilities and the root-mean-square radius of gyration, the Ogston equations are obeyed and the pore size of the matrix is consistent with values determined by other methods.     

Dehydrogenation of propane on aluminoplatinum catalysts modified with Re,Zr, Sc,and Sn

The effect of addition of Re, Zr, Sc, and Sn on an aluminoplatinum catalyst in the reaction of dehydrogenation of propane was investigated. It was shown that addition of 0.2–0.5% Zr, Sc, or Re virtually does not alter the catalytic properties of the aluminoplatinum catalyst (APC); addition of 0.2% Sn increases the activity, selectivity, and stability of Pt/Al₂O₃. The amount of coke deposited on the APC after the first 5 min of work decreases by three times in the presence of Sn. The coke is more enriched with hydrogen than the other systems formed on the surface of Pt-Sn/Al₂O₃.Deceased.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 765–771, April, 1991.     

Crystal structure of methylbis(chloromethyl)phosphine oxide

In the crystal structure of (CH₂C1)₂P(O)CH₃ and the isomorphous crystal structures of (CH₂Br)₂P(O)CH₃ and (CH₂I)₂P(O)CH₃, the molecules of the methylbis(halomethyl)phosphine oxide have an identical trans, gauche conformation.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1526–1528, July, 1991.