Polarizability changes in certain condensed aromatic hydrocarbons

The changes in the static electric polarizability upon transition to excited singlet states are measured and calculated for anthracene, tetracene, pyrene, chrysene and 1,2,5,6-dibenzanthracene. Agreement between the Stark effect measurements in a polystyrene matrix and second-order perturbation theory using SCI LCAO molecular orbitals is good.     

Acidic aqueous decomposition of thiocyanogen

The aqueous reaction of acidic Cl2 with excess SCN- rapidly generates a UV-absorbing intermediate identified as an equilibrium mixture of thiocyanogen, (SCN)2, and trithiocyanate, (SCN)3(-). The decomposition of this mixture can be described as 3(SCN)2 + 4H2O --> 5HSCN + H2SO4 + HCN. Under our conditions the decomposition is sufficiently slow that its kinetics can be studied using standard stopped-flow methodology. Over the pH range 0-2 the decomposition rate law is -d[(SCN)2]/dt = (3/2)[k(disp)K(hyd)2[(SCN)2]2/([SCN-]2[H+]2 + K(SCN)3-[SCN-]3[H+]2 + K(hyd)[SCN-][H+])] with K(SCN)3(-) = 0.43 +/- 0.29 M(-1), K(hyd) = (5.66 +/- 0.77) x 10(-4) M2, and k(disp) = (6.86 +/- 0.95) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at 25 degrees C and micro = 1 M. The K(SCN)3(-) and K(hyd) terms are significant enhancements relative to one of the rate laws conventionally cited. In the proposed mechanism, K(SCN)3(-) refers to the formation of (SCN)3(-) by association of SCN- with (SCN)2, K(hyd) refers to the hydrolysis of (SCN)2 to form HOSCN, and k(disp) is the rate constant for the bimolecular irreversible disproportionation of HOSCN, which leads ultimately to SO4(2-) and HCN. Ab initio calculations support the values of K(SCN)3(-) and K(hyd) reported herein. The high value for k(disp) indicates that HOSCN is a short-lived transient, while the magnitude of K(hyd) provides information on its thermodynamic stability. These results bear on the physiological role of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of SCN- such as salivary peroxidase and myeloperoxidase.     

Synthesis and characterization of new 1,1′-diester,diketone, and dinitrile derivatives of 2,2′-biimidazole

Substituted 1,1′-diester, diketone and dinitrile derivatives are prepared from 2,2′-biimidazole. The reactions involved include: Michael addition with halogenated olefins; nucleophilic substitution with ketones, nitriles, and esters; and condensation with amines.