Vacuum ultraviolet 178.7 nm emission in sodium vapour under two-photon resonance excitation

We have observed a fixed wavelength emission at 178.7 nm in sodium vapour under 578.7 nm two-photon resonance excitation. The proposed non-linear wave mixing scheme is described by _{178.7 nm} = 2_L + _{465.7 nm}; where _178.7 is the 178.7 nm photon frequency, _L is the laser-photon frequency, and _465.7 is the 465.7 nm photon frequency. This 465.7 nm emission comes from another six-wave mixing process involving two hyper-electronic Raman scattering photons. The excitation spectrum of the 178.7 nm emission has a typical multiwave mixing pattern with a competing effect appearing at higher temperatures under two-photon resonance excitation. Numerical analysis indicates that this vacuum ultraviolet emission has a poor phase-match condition that will depress the emission intensity to a certain extent. This makes the observation more difficult compared with other reported four-wave mixing generated emissions. Fortunately, on the one hand, it is enhanced by quasi-auto-ionization resonance when the 3s–5s transition is coupled to the sodium continuum by a 330.2 nm photon. On the other hand, its wavelength sits so close to the sodium Cooper minimum that weak absorption will not suppress this vacuum ultraviolet emission further.     

Comparison between the symmetry-correlation examination and the perturbation method

A comparison between the construction of symmetry-correlation diagrams and the perturbation method for studying chemical reactions is carried out. The perturbation method consists of decomposing the system Hamiltonian H into a sum, H = H₀ + H′. Various symmetry correlation schemes appearing in the literature may be explained by the nonuniqueness of the decomposition scheme. All symmetry selection rules may be viewed as the varieties. By examining the symmetry-correlation diagrams, processes under investigation may be called “forbidden” or “allowed,” depending on the topological feature. Of particular importance is the topology associated with the “avoided crossing.” By making the comparison, we can establish the correspondence of the two methods and conclude that the perturbation order furnishes the origin of the “forbiddenness” of a process.     

Avoided crossing and intermediate states in certain photochemical reactions

An attempt to classify various types of avoided surface crossings originally discussed by Salem and co-workers is presented. From the present scheme, an order-of-forbiddenness criterion regarding reactivity is established from a consideration of electron and orbital counting. Since the new classification is qualitatively related to the energy gap created in the avoided crossing, the classification appears to be more systematic and informative. Energy transfer processes involved in electronically excited states may also be rationalized by such an application. Three major mechanistic types are distinguished: concerted two-electron process, concerted one-electron process, and stepwise one-electron process involving an ionic-pair intermediate.     

A spectrophotometric study on the interaction of hemoglobin in a diazo coupling reaction of neonatal bilirubin: I. Interaction of bilirubin and hemoglobin in the Jendrassik-Grof diazo blank reagents

Studies of difference spectra have revealed a dynamic interaction of bilirubin and hemoglobin in the alkaline Jendrassik-Grof diazo blank reagent. The similarity obtained for difference spectra with respect to shape and peak maxima and peak minima of various ferriprotoporphyrin-containing biomolecules, such as hemin, methemoglobin, cyanmethemoglobin, and catalase implicated ferriprotoporphyrin in this interactive process. Further time studies of these mixtures seem to suggest an oxidation-reduction type of reaction, resulting in the formation of ferroprotoporphyrin and presumably the concomitant oxidation of bilirubin.     

The chemistry of thujone. IX. Thujone as a chiral synthon for the synthesis of optically active steroid analogues. The vinylpicoline route

The thujone-derived enone 1 , upon base-catalyzed reaction with 2-methyl-6-vinylpyridine is converted to the pyridine analogue 5 (Scheme 1). Catalytic reduction of the latter to 6 generates two new centers of chirality which eventually become C(8) and C(14) in the ultimate synthetic steroid analogue 12 . An X-ray analysis of 6 establishes the structure and absolute configuration so as to determine its suitability in subsequent synthetic studies. The acetal derivative 7 , via Birch reduction, hydrolysis, and internal aldol cyclization, is converted into the cyclohexenone analogue 10 (Scheme 2). This ‘one-pot’ process affords an efficient conversion of the pyridine ring into a cyclohexenone system required for A-ring construction of the steroid skeleton. Finally, conversion of 10 , via the unsaturated diketone 11 , provides the chiral steroid analogue 12 .