Liquid-liquid phase transitions in supercooled water studied by computer simulations of various water models

Liquid-liquid and liquid-vapor coexistence regions of various water models were determined by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of isotherms of density fluctuation-restricted systems and by Gibbs ensemble MC simulations. All studied water models show multiple liquid-liquid phase transitions in the supercooled region: we observe two transitions of the TIP4P, TIP5P, and SPCE models and three transitions of the ST2 model. The location of these phase transitions with respect to the liquid-vapor coexistence curve and the glass temperature is highly sensitive to the water model and its implementation. We suggest that the apparent thermodynamic singularity of real liquid water in the supercooled region at about 228 K is caused by an approach to the spinodal of the first (lowest density) liquid-liquid phase transition. The well-known density maximum of liquid water at 277 K is related to the second liquid-liquid phase transition, which is located at positive pressures with a critical point close to the maximum. A possible order parameter and the universality class of liquid-liquid phase transitions in one-component fluids are discussed.     

Study of iron state in titania-supported FeMo catalysts of hydrodesulfurization

Summary Thiophene conversion on, and Mössbauer spectra of sulfided FePMo/TiO₂ catalysts prepared using H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ and its Fe salt have been studied. Iron and phosphorus promoting effect on catalytic activity of the HDS catalysts is discussed.     

Acid-Catalyzed Condensation of Benzamide with Glyoxal,and Reaction Features

Scholars from around the world have been attempting to simplify and cheapen the synthetic method for the promising high-energy compound CL-20 for decades. The lack of understanding of the formation mechanisms of hexaazaisowurtzitane derivatives―CL-20 precursors―is a barrier to solving the said problems. Here, we report the results from an in-depth study into the acid-catalyzed condensation between benzamide and glyoxal in a molar ratio of 2:1 in polar protic and aprotic solvents. Sixteen compounds were isolated and identified, of which eight were synthesized for the first time. A geminal diol, N,N’-(2,2-dihydroxyethane-1,1-diyl)dibenzamide, was synthesized. Two isomers of 1,2-bis(benzoylamino)-1,2-ethanediol were isolated and identified. N,N’-(1-oxoethane-1,2-diyl)dibenzamide and 2-oxo-2-[(phenylcarbonyl)amino]ethyl benzoate were produced that were likely formed due to the 1,2-hydride shift. N-polysubstituted 1,4-dioxane-2,3,5,6-tetramine was synthesized for the first time, whose structure may be of interest as a scaffold for new explosives. DMSO, THF and HCOOH were found to be able to engage in a reaction with benzamide, or condensation products thereof, and glyoxal under acid-catalyzed conditions.     

On loss of stability of slow motions in stiff oscillatory systems

In stiff oscillatory systems often a reduction of the order of the system is possible by splitting the motion into an essential motion on a nearby slow manifold and neglecting the fast motion. However, if the system is conservative the question of stability of the slow motion is a delicate problem. For various spring pendulum systems we, first, perform numerical simulations showing that if the stiffness of the springs is gradually reduced the slow motion looses stability. For a single spring pendulum we give an explanation of this loss of stability. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Cyclizations of Alkenyl(Alkynyl)-Functionalized Quinazolinones and their Heteroanalogues: A Powerful Strategy for the Construction of Polyheterocyclic Structures

Quinazolin-4-one, its heteroanalogues, and derivatives represent an outstandingly important class of compounds in modern organic, medicinal, and pharmaceutical chemistry, as these molecular structures are noted for their wide synthetic and pharmacological potential. In the last years, ever-increasing research attention has been paid to quinazolinone derivatives bearing alkenyl and alkynyl substituents on the pyrimidinone nucleus. The original structural combination of synthetically powerful endocyclic amidine (or amidine-related) and exocyclic unsaturated moieties provides a driving force for cyclizations, which offer an efficient toolkit to construct a variety of fused pyrimidine systems with saturated N- and N,S-heterocycles. In this connection, the present review article is mainly aimed at systematic coverage of the progress in using alkenyl(alkynyl)quinazolinones and their heteroanalogues as convenient bifunctional substrates for regioselective annulation of small- and medium-sized heterocyclic nuclei. Much attention is paid to elucidating the structural and electronic effects of reagents on the regio- and stereoselectivity of the cyclizations as well as to clarifying the relevant reaction mechanisms.     

Liapunov stability analysis of a rotor-bearing system with a flexible attachment of appendage to shaft

This paper presents a general method of analysis for investigating the whirl stability of a rotor-bearing system whose appendage is flexibly attached to the spinning shaft. Sufficient conditions of asymptotic stability involving system different parameters are derived based on Liapunov's theory. An inclusive analysis of the effect of the combined flexibilities of the elastic attachment of the appendage to the shaft and the two end bearings coupled with the other various parameters of the system on the dynamic stability is presented. © 1998 B. G. Teubner Stuttgart–John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Conformational transitions in macromolecules of complex chemical structure during liquid crystalline ordering

Conformational transitions in thermotropic main-chain polymers of complex chemical structure including homopolymers with possibility of conformational transformations in mesogens and random copolymers (CPLs) containing mesogens of the same type and spacers of different lengths were investigated. It was demonstrated that liquid crystalline (LC) state influences conformational transformations in fragments of chain restraining them in comparison with an isotropic melt. It was found that CPLs studied form LC order of smectic type. Peculiarities in spacers behaviour during transition to LC state ensure formation of such type of LC order. Conclusion about dependence of mechanism of smectic LC order formation on chemical structure of rigid components of CPLs is made.     

Novel macrocyclic uracil derivatives: Structure in solid and solution

Isomeric pyrimidinophanes containing uracil moieties and nitrogen atoms in bridges have been synthesized and characterized by a variety of methods both in solid and in solution. Unambiguous assignment of mutual arrangement of C(4)_pyrO groups at different pyrimidine rings in isomers is made by X-ray diffraction. In solutions the arrangement of C(4)_pyrO groups of the isomeric pyrimidinophanes results in different dipole moments. Based on dipole moments simulations mutual orientation of uracil units in isomers is analysed. UV-data are discussed in terms of hypo- or hyperchromic effect.     

Which Properties of a Spanning Network of Hydration Water Enable Biological Functions?

The central role of water in biological functions is well‐recognized, but numerous questions concerning the physical mechanisms behind the importance of water for life remain unanswered. Water in biosystems exists mainly as hydration water. Analysis of the phase diagram of hydration water shows that biological functions are possible only when the surfaces of biomolecules are covered by spanning hydrogen‐bonded networks of hydration water. The comparative studies of the various properties of hydrated biosystems in the presence and in the absence of a spanning water network should clarify its specific physical properties, which are crucial for biological functions. Herein, we summarize the recent progress in these studies. The biological activity of the living organisms is maximal in a narrow temperature interval, where the spanning network of hydration water breaks up with heating via a percolation transition. The entropy of the hydration water related to the diversity of cluster size diverges at this percolation threshold. The possible role of this phenomenon in life processes is discussed.