A combinatorial computation of the first Pontryagin class of the complex projective plane

This paper carries out an explicit computation of the combinatorial formula of Gabrielov, Gel'fand, and Losik for the first Pontryagin class of the complex projective plane with the 9-vertex triangulation discovered by Wolfgang Kühnel. The conditions of the original formula must be modified since the 8-vertex triangulation of the 3-sphere link of each vertex cannot be realized as the complex of faces of a convex polytope in 4-space, but it can be so realized by a star-shaped polytope, and the space of all such realizations is not connected.     

Proton ordering in hexagonal ice

To study an energetically preferable structure of the proton subsystem of hexagonal ice we suggest a topological model that takes into account the energy nonequivalence of H-bonds with different conformational orientations. In the ground state, the model is disordered in every hexagonal layer and ordered along the c axis. In a self-consistent field approximation, the configuration entropy of the layer, which amounts to 15% of the value in Pauling's model, is estimated by various methods. Institute of Earth Cryosphere, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 37, No. 6, pp. 1089–1098, November–December, 1996. Translated by L. Smolina     

Delayed coalescence behavior of droplets with completely miscible liquids

Because of capillary forces, sessile droplets usually fuse instantaneously after contact. We find however a delay of the droplet fusion by many seconds if the droplets consist of different but completely miscible liquids. After the initial contact, the main bodies of the droplets remain separated, connected only through a shallow conduit with a flow from the low to the high surface tension liquid. Sporadically, this connecting film can thicken with turbulent or pulsating flows. The droplets will finally fuse when the flow has sufficiently reduced the difference in composition and surface tension. We present calculations which explain this delayed droplet fusion with the compensation of the fusion-promoting capillary pressure by a droplet-separating dynamic pressure caused by the flow between the droplets. Droplets with high contact angles fuse instantaneously. In this case, no separation-stabilizing dynamic pressure can build up because the interdroplet flow becomes turbulent.     

Copper(II) complexes with N,N-dimethylbiguanide

The N,N-dimethylbiguanide (HDMBG) complexes [Cu₂(HDMBG)₂Cl₄] (1) and respectively [Cu(HDMBG)₂]Cl₂·2H₂O (2) exhibit in vitro antimicrobial activity. The complexes were characterised by IR, electronic as well as EPR spectra. The IR spectra of complexes show the pattern of N,N-dimethylbiguanide coordinated as chelate. The electronic and EPR data are in agreement with a square pyramidal stereochemistry for (1) and a square planar one for (2). The in vitro qualitative and quantitative antimicrobial activity assays showed that the complexes exhibited variable antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative strains (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter sp.) isolated from the hospital environment. The thermal analysis has evidenced the thermal intervals of stability and also the thermodynamic effects that accompany them. The thermal behaviour in nitrogen is complex according to TG and DTA curves including melting, dehydration as well as compounds decomposition.     

N-K electron energy-loss near-edge structures for TiN/VN layers: an ab initio and experimental study

We study N-K-edge electron energy-loss near-edge structures for well-defined TiN/VN bilayers grown on a MgO(100) substrate by both calculations and experiments. The structural relaxations and the electronic structure of TiN/VN multilayers are calculated using the Vienna Ab Initio Simulation Package computer code, which uses density functional theory to describe the electronic interaction. The effects of the core hole created in the excitation process are included in the calculations. For VN, off-stoichiometric effects due to nitrogen vacancies are modelled. The partial density of states (PDOS) for the N-K edge of atoms in the vicinity of the TiN/MgO interface revealed that two new peaks appear between 7 and 9 eV instead of a broad shoulder typical for the bulk. For the VN/TiN interface, the PDOS is modified only slightly, owing to similar bonding on both sides of the interface, and is thus very similar to the respective bulk spectra. An experimental spectrum taken at the VN/TiN interface is, however, well described by an average of the simulated spectra for VN and TiN bulk (interface). Such a finding is characteristic of an intermixed interface.      

Improving the Catalytic Performance of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction of α-MoB2 via Rational Doping by Transition Metal Elements

Abundant transition metal borides are emerging as promising electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts which have a potential to substitute noble metals. Those containing graphene-like (flat) boron layers, such as α-MoB2, are particularly promising and their performance can be further enhanced via doping by the second metal. In order to understand intrinsic effect of doping and rationalize selection of dopants, we employ density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study substitutional doping of α-MoB₂ by transition metals as a route towards systematic improvement of intrinsic catalytic activity towards HER. We calculated thermodynamic stability of various transition metal elements to select metals which form a stable ternary phase with α-MoB₂. We inspected surface stability of dopants and assessed catalytic activity of doped surface through hydrogen binding free energy at various hydrogen coverages. We calculated the reaction barriers and pathways for the Tafel step of HER for the most promising dopants. The results highlight iron as the best dopant, simultaneously lowering the reaction barrier of the Tafel step while having suitable thermodynamic stability within MoB₂ lattice.     

Isocyanide ligands adsorbed on metal surfaces: applications in catalysis, nanochemistry, and molecular electronics

Knowledge of the coordination chemistry and reactivity of isocyanide ligands in transition-metal complexes forms the basis for understanding the adsorption and reactions of isocyanides on metal surfaces. In this overview, we explore reactions (often catalytic) of isocyanides adsorbed on metal surfaces that reflect their patterns of reactivity in metal complexes. We also examine applications of isocyanide adsorption to the stabilization of metal nanoparticles, the functionalization of metal electrodes, and the creation of conducting organic-metal junctions in molecule-scale electronic devices.     

Antisymmetry and stability of aqueous systems. IV. Small clusters of arbitrary form

The antisymmetry of small water clusters of various configurations with three to five molecules, which are stable according to the ab initio calculated data, was analyzed. The antisymmetry operation was alteration of the direction of all hydrogen bonds including the direction of the external unrealized H-bonds. It was found that most configurations of small clusters were antisymmetric. Other configurations form pairs of antipode configurations with very close energies.     

A Diastereoselective Synthesis of Functionalized Tetrahydroindeno[2′,1′,3,4]pyrido[2,1‐a]isoquinolines

An effective route to alkyl 9a‐(2,3‐dihydro‐1,3‐dioxo‐1H‐inden‐2‐yl)‐9a,14,14a,14b‐tetrahydro‐14‐oxoindeno[2′,1′:3,4]pyrido[2,1‐a]isoquinoline‐9‐carboxylates via a diastereoselective one‐pot four‐component reaction of isoquinoline and alkyl prop‐2‐ynoates with two equivalents of indane‐1,3‐dione, in aqueous MeOH at room temperature, is described.