Temporary anion states and dissociative electron attachment to isothiocyanates

The temporary anion states of isothiocyanates CH3CH2=C=S (and CH3CH2N=C=O for comparison), C6H5CH2N=C=S, and C6H5N=C=S are characterized experimentally in the gas phase for the first time by means of electron transmission spectroscopy (ETS). The measured vertical electron attachment energies (VAEs) are compared with the virtual orbital energies of the neutral-state molecules supplied by MP2 and B3LYP calculations with the 6-31G* basis set. The calculated energies, scaled with empirical equations, reproduce satisfactorily the experimental VAEs. The first VAE is also closely reproduced as the total energy difference between the anion and neutral states calculated at the B3LYP/6-31+G* level. Due to mixing between the ring and N=C=S pi-systems, C6H5N=C=S possesses the best electron-acceptor properties, and its lowest-lying anion state is largely localized at the benzene ring. The anion states with mainly pi*C=S and pi*N=C character lie at higher energy than the corresponding anion states of noncumulated pi-systems. However, the electron-acceptor properties of isothiocyanates are found to be notably larger than those of the corresponding oxygen analogues (isocyanates). The dissociative electron attachment (DEA) spectra show peaks close to zero energy and at 0.6 eV, essentially due to NCS- negative fragments. In spite of the energy proximity of the first anion state in phenyl isothiocyanate to the DEA peak, the zero-energy anion current in the benzyl derivative is about 1 order of magnitude larger.     

Efficient asymmetric synthesis of quaternary (E)-vinylglycines by deconjugative alkylation of dehydroamino acids

A two-step protocol for the asymmetric synthesis of protected quaternary (E)-vinylglycines from simple aldehydes is reported. The key step is a regiocontrolled deconjugative asymmetric alkylation of dehydroamino acids, giving the targets as single geometric isomers with high diastereoselectivity (92-96% de). The products can be converted to valuable quaternary beta-amino alcohols by chemoselective reduction. [reaction: see text].     

E center in silicon has a donor level in the band gap

It has been an accepted fact for more than 40 years that the E center in Si (the group-V impurity--vacancy pair)--one of the most studied defects in semiconductors--has only one energy level in the band gap: namely, the acceptor level at about 0.45 eV below the conduction band. We now demonstrate that it has a second level, situated in the lower half of the band gap at 0.27 eV above the valence band. The existence of this level, having a donor character, is disclosed by a combination of different transient-capacitance techniques and electronic-structure calculations. The finding seriously questions some diffusion-modeling approaches performed in the past.     

Site control of InAs quantum dot nucleation by ex situ electron-beam lithographic patterning of GaAs substrates

Conventional electron-beam lithographic patterning of GaAs substrates followed by reactive-ion etching of small holes has been successfully used to control the nucleation of InAs dots. We have observed >50% single dot occupancy for holes wide and deep and show that the dot occupancy and dot size can be varied by changing the size of the holes. Luminescence from an array of these site-controlled dots has been demonstrated. Thus this use of substrate patterning is a viable technique to controllably place single dots at pre-determined positions in devices.     

Quantum Transport. Introduction to Nanoscience,by Y.V. Nazarov and Y.M. Blanter

A brief review of the interstellar medium and its instabilities is given with particular emphasis to recent results on its “two-phase” nature. The existing models (both numerical and analytic) of the collapse of gas clouds to form stars are discussed; this discussion is divided into the optically thin and thick phases. Finally some aspects of the observations of young stars are considered.     

ESR and Theoretical Studies of Bis-Benzene-1, 2-Diselenolate Nickel and Related Complexes

Abstract

ESR and theoretical studies of the transition metal complexes of [Co and Ni (Se₂C₆H₄)₂]^? (n-C₄H₉)₄N⁺ are reported and compared with closely related systems. Room temperature single crystal X-ray studies reveal the Nickel complex is orthorhombic. ESR studies of the polycrystalline powders of the Ni complex as a function of temperature from 108 K to room temperature show a series of spectral envelopes which can arise only from a paramagnetic site which possesses axial symmetry. At ca 160 K, there is an abrupt change in the value of the principal components of the anisotropic g-tensor of the Ni complex which is discussed. Low temperature ESR studies of polycrystalline samples of the ground state triplet Cobalt complex which is isomorphous with the Nickel complex reveal an orthorhombic g-tensor. From the field position of the half-field resonance, it is possible to calculate a mean separation, of the two electrons which make up the triplet state, of 4.3 (±0.5) A.     

Conductivity and Optical Properties of a Polyiodine Canal Complex (Benzophenone)9(KI)2I7, CHCl3

Abstract

(Benzophenone)₉(KI)₂I₇, CHCl₃ single crystals have a golden metallic reflection on the surfaces parallel to the polyiodine chain axis. The compound is a member of a large class of channel-like inclusion compounds in which isolated iodine atom chains are the only possible conducting strands in an otherwise insulating matrix. The (contactless) microwave conductivity is ～ 10 Ω^?1 cm^?1 at room temperature with an activation energy of ～0.03 eV down to 70°K, while the dc conductivity is ～10^?-⁶. Conductivity is strongly frequency dependent and contact problems are severe.     

Nematic Liquid Crystals with a Trifluoromethyl Group

Abstract

We have synthesised a new class of compounds incorporating a trifluoromethyl group in the terminal alkoxy or alkenyloxy chain. Compounds containing several aromatic rings were synthesised with a view to producing compounds of high birefringence. This also included the synthesis of compounds containing a carbon-carbon triple bond. Compounds with three 1,4-disubstituted rings were synthesised in order to produce materials with a high nematic clearing point and as low a melting point as possible. Laterally fluoro-substituted compounds were prepared to generate a high positive value of the dielectric anisotropy, a low melting point and no smectic mesophases. Substances containing a cyclohexyl ring, which tend to induce a lower viscosity and compounds incorporating a bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring were also synthesised in order to produce a high nematic clearing point and to influence the elastic constants. The (E)-trifluorobut-2-enyloxy-compounds were prepared in attempts to produce compounds with appropriate elastic constants and a high birefringence.