Quantum dynamics of H2 formation on a graphite surface through the Langmuir Hinshelwood mechanism

We have studied the formation of the H2 molecule on a graphite surface, when both H atoms are initially physisorbed. The graphite surface is assumed to be planar, and a model potential is obtained in a semiempirical way to reproduce the experimental properties of H physisorption on graphite. The reaction probability has been computed in the case when the angular momentum of the relative H-H motion lies parallel to the surface plane. Three-dimensional wave packet calculations have been performed for collision energies ranging from 2 to 50 meV. It is shown that the reaction occurs with a significant probability and produces the H2 molecule with a considerable amount of vibrationnal energy. A simple mechanical model is presented, where desorption of the nascent H2 molecule results from two successive binary elastic collisions.     

A chemical study of 2-butyne-1,4-diol

Commercial grade 2-butyne-1,4-diol has been used in electroplating for several years. In laboratory experiments, its presence in the electrolyte increases the current efficiency of zinc electro-winning. Its chemical behaviour in solution is not well known. The present paper indicates that the brownish technical grade 2-butyne-1,4-diol contains the monomer, the dimer and some trimer. Pure monomeric 2-butyne-1,4-diol is a white solid obtained by evaporation of the technical grade product. The monomer is slowly transformed into dimer and possibly into a trimer when dissolved in water. Various analytical techniques were used in the study of this system. Factor analysis with column cross-validation was applied to chromatographic data to help in the resolution of the system.     

Light-induced starch degradation in non-dormant turions of Spirodela polyrhiza

Continuous red light controls starch degradation in turions of Spirodela polyrhiza[Dölger, K., U. K. Tirlapur and K.‐J. Appenroth [1997]Photochem. Photobiol. 66, 126–127 (1997)]. This light could be replaced by repeated red light pulses with the reciprocity law fulfilled over a large range of fluence rates. The effect of red light pulses repeated every 24 or 12 h for 6 days was reversible by subsequent far‐red light pulses. In contrast, hourly applied red pulses were irreversible by far‐red light. This discrepancy was explained by showing the starch degradation activity of far‐red pulses themselves. The investigated process was categorized as a phytochrome low fluence response with an unusual property: requirement of light treatment for several days. A partial fulfillment of this requirement was obtained with a red pulse followed by a dark period and a 24 h continuous irradiation. These results suggest the existence of two separate steps in the process of starch degradation in turions: formation of a sprout (=sink) during the pulse‐induced germination, and starch degradation in the storage tissue (=source) induced by the second light treatment.