Infrared and Raman spectral interpretations of the ferroelectric phases of NaH3(SeO3)2 and NaD3(SeO3)2

The infrared and Raman spectra of NaH₃(SeO₃)₂ and NaD₃(SeO₃)₂ have been recorded from 24 to 300°K. The interpretation, assignments, and analysis of the spectral studies are presented on the paraelectric α phase (proton disordered), ferroelectric β phase (proton ordered) and ferroelectric γ phase (proton ordered). A discussion of a newly proposed proton-triggered phase transition mechanism and a possible origin of the hydrogen-bonded OH stretching region of KH₂PO₄-type ferroelectrics is given.     

Determination of isotopic composition of lithium by neutron activation analysis; comparison with mass spectrometry

An activation analysis method is described for routine determination of⁶Li-abundances in various lithium compounds on the basis of the reaction sequence⁶Li(n,α)T and¹⁶O(t, n)¹⁸F and the measurement of¹⁸F. Irradiations of diluted equeous solutions of samples containing CrO₃ as internal flux monitor were carried out at a thermal neutron flux density of ϕ≤10¹¹ n·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹. Interferences from variations in neutron self-shielding oxygen concentration and triton range do not exceed 0.5% when using the dilution technique. The results for⁶Li abundances from 3.52 to 7.60% with standard deviations of 1 to 2.5% were confirmed by mass spectrometric measurements.     

Rapid polarographic method for determining arsenic in steel

A simple and sensitive polarographic method for determining arsenic in steel is presented. The steel is dissolved in HNO(3), and arsenic reduced with Na(2)S(2)O(5)-K.I. The polarographic wave is recorded for an electrolyte at pH 3.0 and containing Fe(II), Mn(II). citric and ascorbic acids. Levels of 0.2% and 0.003% As can be determined with a coefficient of variation of +/- 6%.     

Matrix elements for spin-adapted configurations

It is shown that the turn-over rule which is used to simplify matrix elements between spin-projected Slater determinants may also be used to simplify formation of matrix elements between any orthonormal set of spin-coupled Slater determinants. The coefficients for the spin-coupling may then be chosen freely to reduce the number of important configurations in the secular equation.     

Liquid-phase oxidation of tert-butyldimethylsilane

Kinetics and mechanism of liquid-phase oxidation of tert-butyldimethylsilane t-BuMe₂SiH with molecular oxygen in the temperature range 297–350K were studied. Reaction orders in silane, initiator, and oxygen were evaluated. The major product of the oxidation of t-BuMe₂SiH is tert-butyldimethylsilyl hydroperoxide t-BuMe₂SiOOH. It was shown for the first time that the major reaction product is a silyl hydroperoxide. A kinetic scheme of the oxidation of t-BuMe₂SiH is offered and discussed.Translated from Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, Vol. 74, No. 10, 2004, pp. 1625–1630.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Lutsik-Maksim, Timokhin, Zaborovskii, Pristanskii, Turovskii, Chatgilialoglu.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Mutagenesis approaches to deduce structure-function relationships in terpene synthases

This review highlights mutagenesis studies of terpene synthases, specifically sesquiterpene synthases and oxidosqualene cyclases. Mutagenesis studies of these enzymes have provided mechanistic insights, structure-function relationships for specific enzymatic residues, novel terpene structures and enzymes with novel activities. The literature through 2002 is reviewed and 113 references cited.     

Fractionation and Determination of Different Lead Species in Contaminated Soils

A new approach was proposed to fractionating soil lead species differing in mobility and biological availability. Ground solid samples were retained as a stationary phase in a rotating coiled column while continuously pumping aqueous solutions of salts and complexing agents necessary for the sequential leaching of different element species. It was shown that field-flow fractionation in a rotating coiled column is suitable for separating three lead species in an automatic mode within 4 h, as compared to several days for conventional methods of sequential extraction. The study of lead elution curves at different fractionation steps provides additional information about its mobilization under changing environmental conditions.     

Simultaneous radiochemical neutron activation analysis of iodine, uranium and mercury in biological and environmental samples

The determination of medium and long-lived nuclides can be combined with short-lived ones if a medium or long irradiation is made prior to the short irradiation and radiochemical processing. Thus, an RNAA method previously developed for determination of iodine based on the reaction¹²⁷I(n,)¹²⁸I (T _1/2=25 m) using oxygen flask ignition of the irradiated sample, followed by solvent extraction with an iodine-iodide redox cycle, was combined with an overnight preirradiation to induce the²³⁵U fission product¹³³I (T _1/2=20.8 h). By reactivating the sample, cooled 1–2 days after the first irradiation, for few minutes both¹²⁸I and¹³³I could be quantified in the separated iodine fraction. Non-combustible inorganic materials (e.g., sediment, soil, etc.) can be successfully ignited after mixing with excess cellulose powder. Chemical yields for iodine were determined spectrophotometrically in the organic phase, while homogeneously spiked Whatman cellulose powder was used as uranium standard. Mercury is also released on ignition and collected in the absorbing solution, from where it was separated by toluene extraction. Its chemical yield was determined for each aliquot using²⁰³Hg tracer and counting on an LEPD. Results for some suitable SRMs are presented, and the general features of the double irradiation technique discussed.     

ESCA: Eine Methode zur Bestimmung von Elementen und ihren Bindungszust?nden in der Oberfl?che von Festk?rpern

Zusammenfassung ESCA (nach Siegbahn: Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis) beruht auf dem Photoeffekt an inneren Atomorbitalen und ist auf alle Substanzen anwendbar. Die Routineuntersuchungen werden überwiegend an Festkörpern durchgeführt. Informationsträger sind Photo- und Augerelektronen, die verlustfrei von der Festkörperoberfläche emittiert werden. Auf Grund der Oberflächenempfindlichkeit gehört ESCA zu den mikrochemischen Verfahren. Die erfaßte Schichtdicke ist gegeben durch die Austrittstiefe der Photo- und Augerelektronen. Sie beträgt einige Monolagen, maximal 100 Å. Man kann davon ausgehen, daß bei einer untersuchten Fläche von 0,5 cm² und homogener Verteilung eines Elementes in den obersten 100 Å eine Konzentration von 1 % noch sicher nachgewiesen wird. Die Empfindlichkeitsunterschiede von Element zu Element liegen innerhalb eines Faktors 10. Matrixeffekte sind noch wesentlich geringer. Deshalb sind gute Voraussetzungen für eine quantitative Analyse gegeben. ESCA ist zwar nicht direkt ein Verfahren zur Spurenanalyse, wohl aber nach geeigneter Anreicherung. Der besondere Vorteil von ESCA liegt darin, daß man nicht nur Elemente nachweist, sondern an Hand von chemischen Verschiebungen, Linienaufspaltungen und Shake-up-Satelliten zuverlässige Aussagen über ihren Bindungszustand erhält. Weiterhin kann innerhalb des Bereiches der Austrittstiefe der Photoelektronen differenziert werden; dadurch ergeben sich Möglichkeiten zur zerstörungsfreien Aufnahme von Tiefenverteilungen von Elementen und Verbindungen. Zum Vordringen in tiefere Schichten kann ESCA mit abbauenden Verfahren gekoppelt werden. Nach Ionenbeschußabbau ist wegen ioneninduzierter Reaktionen in der Regel jedoch kein Verbindungsnachweis mehr möglich.

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ESCA: A method for the determination of elements and their valence states in the surfaces of solids

Summary ESCA — or Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (the term used by its inventor, Siegbahn)-is based on the effects of X-rays on the inner orbitals of atoms and is applicable to all substances. Routine ESCA investigations are carried out chiefly on solids. The information is provided by photo- and Auger electrons, which are emitted from the surfaces of solids without energy losses. Because of its surface sensitivity ESCA may be regarded as a microchemical method. The comprehended layer thickness is given by the escape depths of the photo- and Auger electrons. The range is from a few monolayers to 100 Å. As a rule, an element that is distributed homogeneously in the uppermost 100 Å of an area of 0.5 cm² can still be detected reliably at a concentration of 1%. The differences in sensitivity from element to element are within a factor of ten. Matrix effects are considerably smaller still. ESCA is therefore well suited for quantitative analysis. Though not directly suitable for trace analysis, ESCA can be used for that purpose after appropriate enrichment techniques have been applied. The special advantage of ESCA is that, in addition to detecting elements, it provides reliable information on their valence states by means of chemical shifts, line splitting and shake-up satellites. Apart from this, ESCA permits in-depth discrimination within the range of the escape depths of the photo electrons; it therefore provides opportunities for the non-destructive recording of the depth distributions of elements and compounds. For investigation of lower layers, ESCA can be combined with methods which involve the removal of outer layers. After removal of layers by ion bombardment, however, ion-induced reactions generally prevent the detection of compounds.

Hauptvortrag auf dem Internationalen Symposium für mikrochemische Arbeitsmethoden (ISM) Davos, Mai 1977     

Complex coordinates and the Stark effect

The theories of the dilatation, r → r e^iθ, and translation, x → x + iq, transformations as related to the Stark problem are reviewed, and new results obtained. Results for the hydrogen atom n = 1 and n = 2 levels and the ¹P⁰, 2s2p H^? shape resonance in dc fields are presented, and the extension to the ac Stark effect made. Spectral estimates are made using the technique of the numerical range and via discussion of several model problems, using both coordinate rotation and coordinate translation.