Measurements of branching fraction, polarization, and charge asymmetry of B(+/-)-->rho(+/-)rho(0) and a search for B(+/-)-->rho(+/-)f(0)(980)

We measure the branching fraction (B), polarization (f(L)), and CP asymmetry (A(CP)) of B(+/-)-->rho(+/-)rho(0) decays and search for the decay B(+/-)-->rho(+/-)f(0)(980) based on a data sample of 231.8 x 10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays collected with the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory. In B(+/-)-->rho(+/-)rho(0) decays we measure B=(16.8+/-2.2+/-2.3) x 10(-), f(L)=0.905+/-0.042(-0.027)(+0.023), and A(CP)=-0.12+/-0.13+/-0.10, and find an upper limit on the branching fraction of B(+/-)-->rho(+/-)f(0)(980)(-->pi(+)pi(-)) decays of 1.9 x 10(-6) at 90% confidence level.     

Observation of B+ --> K0K+ and B0 --> K0K0

We report observations of the b --> d penguin-dominated decays B+ --> K0K+ and B0 --> K0K0 in 316 fb(-1) of e+ e- collision data collected with the BABAR detector. We measure the branching fractions B(B+ --> K0K+) = (1.61+/-0.44+/-0.09) x 10(-6) and B(B0 --> K0K0 = (1.08+/-0.28+/-0.11) x 10(-6) and the CP-violating charge asymmetry A(CP)(K0K+) = 0.10+/-0.26+/-0.03. Using a vertexing technique previously employed in several analyses of all-neutral final states containing kaons, we report the first measurement of time-dependent CP-violating asymmetries in B0 --> K(S)0K(S)0, obtaining S = -1.28(-0.73-0.16)(+0.80+0.11) and C = -0.40+/-0.41+/-0.06. We also report improved measurements of the branching fraction B(B+ --> K0 pi+) = (23.9+/-1.1+/-1.0) x 10(-6) and CP-violating charge asymmetry A(CP)(K0 pi+) = -0.029+/-0.039+/-0.010.     

Study of B-->D(*)sJ +-D(*) decays

We report a study of D(*)(sJ)(2317)(+) and D(sJ)(2460)(+) meson production in B decays. We observe the decays B+-->D((*)+)(sJ)D ((*)0) and B0-->D((*)+)(sJ)D((*)-) with the subsequent decays D(*)(sJ)(2317)(+)-->D(+)(s)pi(0), D(sJ)(2460)(+)-->D(+)(s)gamma, and D(sJ)(2460)(+)-->D(*+)(s)pi(0). Based on a data sample of 122.1 x 10(6) BB pairs collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B factory, we obtain branching fractions for these modes, including the previously unseen decays B-->D((*)+)(sJ)D(*). In addition, we perform an angular analysis of D(sJ)(2460)(+)-->D(+)(s)gamma decays to test the different D(sJ)(2460)(+) spin hypotheses.     

Synthesis,structures and luminescence of two new Europium(II) Silicate-Chlorides,Eu2SiO3Cl2 and Eu5SiO4Cl6

Eu₂SiO₃Cl₂ and Eu₅SiO₄Cl₆ were prepared by reaction of EuCl₂ with EuSiO₃ and Eu₂SiO₄, respectively, Sr₂SiO₃Cl₂: Eu²⁺ from mixtures of SrCO₃, Eu₂O₃, SrCl₂ · 6H₂O and SiO₂ under reducing conditions. The crystal structures of Eu₂SiO₃Cl₂ [a = 1118.7(5), c = 952.6(1) pm, tetragonal, I4/m, Z = 8, R = 3.3, R_w = 3.0%] and Eu₅SiO₄Cl₆ [a = 900.4(1), b = 1401.7(2), c = 1112.3(2) pm, β = 103.51(1)°, monoclinic, C2/c, Z = 4, R = 3.6, R_w = 2.6%] were determined from four-circle diffractometer data and compared with related compounds. The luminescence properties were investigated at 300 K and at 4.2 K; all compounds show intense bluish-green photoluminescence. Sr₂SiO₃Cl₂:Eu²⁺ shows thermoluminescence.     

Formation of cyclodimeric (sp(2)-C(1))-bridged Cp/-oxido ("CpC(1)O"M(IV)X(2)) group 4 metal Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems--how important is the "constrained geometry" effect?

Deprotonation of sodium acetylcyclopentadienide (11) was achieved by treatment with LDA in THF to generate the dianion equivalent [Cp-C(=CH(2))-O](2-)(12). Transmetalation with Cl(2)Ti(NMe(2))(2) gave ([Cp-C(=CH(2))-O]Ti(NMe(2))(2))(2) (17); treatment of 12 with Cl(2)Zr(NEt(2))(2)(THF)(2) furnished (([Cp-C(=CH(2))-O]Zr(NEt(2))(2))(2) (18). Cryoscopy in benzene revealed a dimeric structure of 18 in solution. Complex 18 was characterized further by an X-ray crystal structure analysis and by DFT calculations. The two zirconium centers of 18 are connected by means of two symmetry-equivalent eta(5):kappaO[Cp-C(=CH(2))-O] ligands. The ligand backbone shows no specific steric constraints, different from the formally related "constrained geometry" systems such as [Cp-SiMe(2)-NCMe(3)]Zr(NMe(2))(2) (1b). Nevertheless, upon treatment with MAO the CpCO group 4 metal complex system (18) generates an active homogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalyst for effective ethene/1-octene copolymerization, with up to 20% 1-octene having become incorporated in the resulting copolymer at 90 degrees C.     

Asymmetric ring opening of meso epoxides with TMSCN catalyzed by (pybox)lanthanide complexes

The asymmetric ring opening of meso epoxides with TMSCN is catalyzed by (pybox)YbCl3 complexes, yielding the beta-trimethylsilyloxy nitrile ring-opened products with good enantioselectivities (83-92% ee). The reaction exhibits a second-order kinetic dependence on catalyst concentration and a first-order dependence on epoxide concentration, consistent with a bimetallic pathway involving simultaneous activation of epoxide and cyanide.     

Gas sensing using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

Received: 25 February 1998     

Kristall- und molekülstruktur von hexaphenyldistannylselenid (C6H5)3SnSeSn(C6H5)3

The crystal and molecular structure of hexaphenylditin selenide (C₆H₅)₃SnSeSn(G₆H₅)₃ was determined by X-ray diffraction data and was refined to R  0.055. The compound is monoclinic, space group P2₁, with a  9.950(4), b  18.650(7), c  18.066(6) Å, β  106.81(4)°, Z  4. The two molecules in the asymmetric unit differ slightly in their conformations, both having approximate C₂ symmetry. Bond lengths and angles are: SnSe 2.526 (2.521(3) ? 2.538(3)) Å; SnC 2.138 (2.107(16)?2.168(19)) Å; SnSeSn 103.4(1)°, 105.2(1)°. There are only slight angular distortions at the SnSeC₃ tetrahedra (SeSnC angles: 104.3(5)?114.8(4)°). The bond data indicate essentially single bonds around the Sn atoms.     

Feedback-controlled electro-kinetic traps for single-molecule spectroscopy

A principal limitation of single-molecule spectroscopy in solution is the diffusion-limited residence time of a given molecule within the detection volume. A common solution to this problem is to immobilize molecules of interest on a passivated glass surface for extending the observation time to obtain reliable data statistics. However, surface tethering of molecules often introduces artifacts, particularly when studying the structural dynamics of biomolecules. To circumvent this limitation, we investigated alternative ways to extend single-molecule observation times in solution without surface immobilization. Among various possibilities, the so-called anti-Brownian electro-kinetic trap (or ABEL trap) seems best suited to achieve this goal. The essential part of that trap is a feedback-controlled electro-kinetic steering of a molecule’s position in reaction to its diffusive Brownian motion which is monitored by fluorescence, thus keeping the molecule within a sub-micron sized detection volume. Fluorescence trace recordings of over thousands of milliseconds duration on individual dye molecules within an ABEL trap have been reported. In this short review, we shall briefly discuss the principle and some results of ABEL trapping of individual molecules with possible extensions to future works.     

In situ surface reduction of a NiO-YSZ-alumina composite using scanning probe microscopy

In situ surface reductions of NiO-YSZ-Al₂O₃ composites into Ni-YSZ-Al₂O₃ cermets were carried out at 312–525 °C in a controlled atmosphere high-temperature scanning probe microscope (CAHT-SPM) in dry and humidified 9 % H₂ in N₂. The reduction of NiO was followed by contact mode scanning of topography and conductance. A reproducible sequence of events was observed which included a conductance decrease upon hydrogen introduction and a reappearance of conductance after some time. It was found that this incubation time from introduction of hydrogen and until conducting Ni appeared was temperature dependent and followed the Arrhenius equation. For samples reduced in dry hydrogen, the Arrhenius plot showed two regions with different activation energies. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed a difference in microstructure between these temperature regimes. A strong retarding effect of steam (H₂O) on the nucleation time of Ni particles was observed.