Weakly representable relation algebras form a variety

We prove that the class of weakly representable relation algebras is closed under homomorphic images, hence it is a variety. As a corollary we classify the subdirectly irreducible algebras in this class. Received April 3, 2007; accepted in final form February 7, 2008.     

Complete structural characterization of metallacyclic complexes in solution-phase using simultaneously X-ray diffraction and molecular dynamics simulation

Wide-angle X-ray diffraction and molecular dynamics simulation has been used to perform complete structural characterization of nitromethane solution of a 16-membered gold(I) ring. The joint application of these two methods was an adequate tool to describe not only the structure of the complex but also the solvation properties of the complex in nitromethane and the effect of the solvation on the bulk structure. It has been found that a relatively diffuse slightly distorted solvation shell is formed around the complex, following the shape of the molecule. Nitromethane molecules in the solvation sphere are distributed randomly; no special orientation can be detected. The interaction energy of the complex with nitromethane molecules is attractive. In bulk, besides the antiparallel orientation of the nitromethane molecules, T-shape orientation and long-range order in antidipole orientation can also be detected.     

The microenvironment of iron in (Ba,Ca)(Fe,Co)O3−δ catalyst system: A Mössbauer study

Undisturbed, non-fertilized woodland soil (“loamy sandy soil” type) from 1 m below surface was dry and wet sieved. Sieving fractions of <10–1000 μm were analyzed for total alpha-activity. Thorium and uranium contents were determined by alpha-spectrometry after radiochemical separation. Soluble and insoluble parts of thorium and uranium were determined in the sieved fractions indicating that the isotope distribution in soil correlates with the particle size distribution: The smaller the size fraction the higher the isotope content. Isotope ratios of²²⁸Th/²³²Th, and²³⁴U/²³⁸U are discussed.     

Adsorption of sugar surfactants at the air/water interface

The adsorption isotherms of n-decyl-β-D-glucoside (β-C(10)G(1)) as well as various n-alkyl-β-D-maltosides (β-C(n)G(2)) with n=8, 10, 12 and 14 were determined from surface tension measurements. Based on the analysis of the adsorption isotherms, the total free energy change of adsorption was determined and a novel method was proposed to determine the maximum adsorbed amount of surfactant. It can be concluded that the driving force for adsorption first increases with increasing adsorbed amount of the sugar surfactants and then levels off in a plateau. This peculiar behaviour is interpreted as formation of a thin liquid-like alkane film of overlapping alkyl chains at the air/water interface once a certain adsorbed amount is exceeded. The driving force of adsorption depends on the alkyl chain length only and is not affected by the type of the head group. The hydrophobic contribution to the standard free energy change of adsorption was compared with the values of sodium alkylsulfate and alkyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactants. This comparison reveals that the hydrophobic driving force of adsorption is the largest for the sodium alkylsulfates, whereas it is the same for the sugar surfactants and the alkyltrimethylammonium bromides.     

Theoretical study of solvent effect on π-EDA complexation II. Complex between TCNE and two benzene molecules

Formation of tetracyanoethylene—benzene 1: 1 and 1: 2 complexes was modeled using the Møller—Plesset second-order theory (MP2) and polarized continuum model (PCM). The MP2 calculated geometry of 1: 1 complex presents a plane-parallel C _2υ sandwich structure with interplanar distance 3.05 × 10^?10 m, while the 1: 2 complex has D _2h geometry where the planparallel distance is equal to 3.09 × 10^?10 m. The MP2 calculations indicate that the main part of formation enthalpy in both complexes is dispersion energy due to intermolecular electron correlation. The calculations also show that the formation entropy destabilizes both complexes since from the two constituent molecules one complex molecule arises. The MP2/6-31G* procedure showed to be a suitable tool for the estimation of the relative importance of 1: 2 complexation compared to the 1: 1 complexation. In the gas phase the ratio of the equilibrium constants of both complexes K _1:2/K _1:1 = 0.09 was calculated. The presence of solvent, treated by the PCM, further destabilized the 1: 2 complex with respect to the 1: 1 complex. The ratio K _1:2/K _1:1 in CH₂Cl₂ calculated by the PCM method was 0.022, i.e. the 1: 2 complex was almost 50 times less stable than the 1: 1 complex, which is in agreement with available experimental data. According to the calculations, solvent always destabilizes complex with respect to the isolated (solvated) components.It was also found that charge polarization in the 1: 2 complex with respect to that in the 1: 1 complex was not strictly additive due to the presence of the second benzene molecule in the 1: 2 complex. Non-additive were also formation enthalpy, entropy, polarizability, charge transfer from donors to acceptor molecule and other properties. This fact is caused by a slightly changed interaction between constituent molecules in the 1: 2 complex in comparison with the 1: 1 complex as well as by the interaction between benzene molecules in the 1: 2 complex which is missing in the 1: 1 complex.Preliminary CIS/6-31G* theoretical study regarding a few first-electron (electron charge transfer) transitions in both complexes indicates the presence of Frenkel excitn and Davydov transition energy splitting in the 1: 2 “supercomplex” with the first allowed π → π* absorption transition at λ = 355 nm, while the first allowed transition in the case of 1: 1 complex was characterized by λ = 392 nm with the oscillator strength only half of that of the 1: 2 complex, which is in agreement with experiment. These unexpected large hypso-and hypochromic effects predicted by the theory could allow to overcome difficulties of the experimental determination of the 1: 2 complexation.     

Utilization of Slovak bentonites in deposition of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel

The basic strategic aims in the field of managing high-level radioactive waste and liquidation of nuclear power plants are all contained in the Energy policy of the Slovak Republic. Its aim is to resolve the concept of the backside of the nuclear energetics fuel cycle??long-term deposition of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel (SNF). The most important form of high-level radioactive waste and SNF long-term deposition is their deposition in deep geological formations created by natural as well as engineering barriers used to isolate the long-lived radionuclides from the biosphere. The basic components of these barriers are clays, of which bentonite is generally referred to as the most suitable clay material. There are a few significant bentonite deposits in the Slovak Republic: Jel?ový potok, Kopernica, Lastovce, Lieskovec, Dolná Ves. The review article summarizes the information on geotechnical properties of Slovak bentonites published up-to-date, which is inevitable to know for the intention of their use. It highlights the advantages and shows drawbacks of five Slovak deposits. It suggests further research direction, to draw a thorough hydraulical, microbial and radiation profile of Slovak bentonites.     

Pore Sizes of Solids

A new, fast, and simple method based on size exclusion chromatography permits determination of the volumes of open and closed pores of rigid solids such as silica or porous glasses, together with the specific surface and the pore-size distribution for pore diameters ranging from 10 to 4000Å. The results are in good agreement with those obtained by classical methods (capillary condensation, mercury porosimetry).     

Preparation of Partially Acetylated Carotenoids

Partially acetylated carotenoids were prepared from fully acetylated carotenoids by reaction with NaBH₄, and were characterized by UV/VIS, CD, ¹H‐NMR and mass spectra. The 3,6′‐diacetate, 3′,6′‐diacetate, and 6′‐acetate 10 – 12 , respectively, of (6′R)‐capsanthol (=(3R,3′S,5′R,6′R)‐β,κ‐carotene‐3,3′,6′‐triol; 4 ) were obtained from (6′R)‐capsanthol‐3,3′,6′‐triacetate ( 9 ), and the 3‐ and 3′‐acetates 13 and 14 , respectively, of 4 from (6′R)‐capsanthol 3,3′‐diacetate ( 8 ). The utility of this method was also demonstrated by the preparation of zeaxanthin and lutein monoacetates 16, 19 , and 20 .     

Transition Metal Complexes with Pyrazole-based Ligands. Part 12. Characterisation and thermal decomposition of CuCl2 complexes with di- and trisubstituted pyrazoles

The synthesis of copper(II) chloride complexes with 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, 1-carboxamidine-3,5-dimethylpyrazole, 5-amino-4-carboxamide-1-phenylpyrazole and 4-acetyl-3-amino-5-methylpyrazole is described. The compounds are characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal methods, magnetic moment and molar conductivity measurements. Thermal decomposition of the dichloro-(3,5-dimethylpyrazole)-copper(II) complex results in an unstable intermediate with a stochiometric composition. The decomposition of the other compounds is continuous. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.