Approximation of a laminated microstructure for a rotationally invariant,double well energy density

Summary. We give error estimates for the approximation of a laminated microstructure which minimizes the energy for a rotationally invariant, double well energy density . We present error estimates for the convergence of the deformation in the convergence of directional derivatives of the deformation in the “twin planes,” the weak convergence of the deformation gradient, the convergence of the microstructure (or Young measure) of the deformation gradients, and the convergence of nonlinear integrals of the deformation gradient. Received July 25, 1995 / Revised version received November 20, 1995     

Air-stable liquid clathrates. 1. Crystal structure of [NBu4][Br3] and reactivity of the [NBu4][Br3]·5 C6H6 liquid clathrate

[NBu₄][Br₃] interacts with C₆H₆ to form an air-stable liquid clathrate. The tribromide anion reacts with phenol to give para-bromophenol in>95% yield. The HBr which is generated in the reaction combines with the Br^– anion to form [Br-H-Br]^–. The latter forms the basis for a new liquid clathrate, [NBu₄][Br-H-Br]·n C₆H₆. The parent salt, [NBu₄][Br₃], crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c witha=12.983(5),b=10.380(7),c=16.222(6) Å,=93.93(3)°, andD _c =1.47 g cm^–3 forZ=4. The final R value is 0.068 based on 787 observed reflections.     

Variable flip angle imaging and fat suppression in combined gradient and spin-echo (GREASE) techniques

Conventional "proton density" and "T2-weighted" spin-echo images are susceptible to motion induced artifact, which is exacerbated by lipid signals. Gradient moment nulling can reduce motion artifact but lengthens the minimum TE, degrading the "proton density" contrast. We designed a pulse sequence capable of optimizing proton density and T2-weighted contrast while suppressing lipid signals and motion induced artifacts. Proton density weighting was obtained by rapid readout gradient reversal immediately after the excitation RF pulse, within a conventional spin-echo sequence. By analyzing the behavior of the macroscopic magnetization and optimizing excitation flip angle, we suppressed T1 contribution to the image, thereby enhancing proton density and T2-weighted contrast with a two- to four-fold reduction of repetition time. This permitted an increased number of averages to be used, reducing motion induced artifacts. Fat suppression in the presence of motion was investigated in two groups of 8 volunteers each by (i) modified Dixon technique, (ii) selective excitation, and (iii) hybrid of both. Elimination of fat signal by the first technique was relatively uniform across the field of view, but it did not fully suppress the ghosts originating from fat motion. Selective excitation, while sensitive to the main field inhomogeneity, largely eliminated the ghosts (0.21 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.29 +/- 0.06, p less than 0.01). The hybrid of both techniques combined with bandwidth optimization, however, showed the best results (0.17 +/- 0.04, p less than 0.001). Variable flip-angle imaging allows optimization of image contrast which, along with averaging and effective fat suppression, significantly improves gradient- and spin-echo imaging, particularly in the presence of motion.     

Multinuclear magnetic resonance studies on intramolecular chalcogen-tin coordination in compounds of the type Me2Sn(X)CH2CH2P(E)Ph2 (X = Halogen, E = Chalcogen)

Multinuclear magnetic resonance data for the title compounds are presented and discussed. The intramolecular coordination observed in the solid state is shown to be retained in solution. The best probes for the presence or absence of pentacoordination at tin are provided by the various tin-element coupling constants, although chemical shifts are in some cases also informative. A selenium-proton correlated spectrum indicated that the coupling constant ¹J(Sn,Se) has a positive sign.     

Observation of a quadrupole plasmon mode for a colloidal solution of gold nanoprisms

The synthesis and optical properties of single crystalline gold nanoprisms have been investigated. A three-step mediated seed growth process in an aqueous solution generated gold nanoprisms with a relatively homogeneous size distribution. The purity of these nanostructures has allowed us to observe a weak quadrupole resonance in addition to a strong dipole resonance associated with these novel structures. The experimental optical spectra agree with discrete dipole approximation calculations that have been modeled from the dimensions of gold nanoprisms produced in this synthesis.     

The renaissance of palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidation chemistry

Palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidations constitute a paramount reaction class but have remained immature over the past few decades. Recently, this field has reappeared at the forefront of organometallic catalysis. This emerging area article outlines recent developments in palladium(II)-catalyzed oxidation chemistry with discussion of potential future growth.