Quantum carpets woven by cold atoms in a laser field

Propagation of wave packets of cold two-level atoms in a standing-wave laser field can be interpreted in the dressed-state basis as motion in two optical potentials. The three distinct regimes of the wavepacket motion are specified by the ratio of the squared atom–laser detuning to the normalized Doppler shift. We calculate the momentum and position probability densities, which form patterns with minima and maxima of probability both in the momentum and the position spaces known as quantum carpets. At small and large detunings, the atomic motion is substantially adiabatic, and the quantum carpets have a simple form. At intermediate detunings, the wave packet moves nonadiabatically, splitting at each node of the standing wave, which causes a proliferation or branching of atomic trajectories with a single atom. Nonadiabatic transitions produce beautiful quantum carpets with a rich structure.     

Diversity oriented heterocyclizations of pyruvic acids,aldehydes and 5-amino-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-aryl-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-pyrazole-4-carboxamides: catalytic and temperature control of chemoselectivity

Heterocyclization reactions of pyruvic acids, aromatic aldehydes and 5-amino-N-aryl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamides yielding four different types of final compounds are described. The reactions involving arylidenpyruvic acids lead with high degree of selectivity to either 4,7-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acids or 5-[(2-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-3-yl)amino]-1H-pyrazoles, depending on the catalyst type or temperature regime. The interactions based on arylpyruvic acids can take place under kinetic or thermodynamic control producing 7-hydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-carboxylic acids or 3-hydroxy-1-(1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones, respectively.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Theoretical Study of Trifluoromethyl Derivatives of C84(23) Fullerene

Trifluoromethylation of a higher fullerene mixture with CF₃I was performed in ampoules at 550 °C. HPLC separation followed by crystal growth and X‐ray diffraction study resulted in the structure elucidation of nine CF₃ derivatives of D_2d‐C₈₄ (isomer 23). The molecular structures of C₈₄(23)(CF₃)₄, C₈₄(23)(CF₃)₈, C₈₄(23)(CF₃)₁₀, C₈₄(23)(CF₃)₁₂, two isomers of C₈₄(23)(CF₃)₁₄, two isomers of C₈₄(23)(CF₃)₁₆, and C₈₄(23)(CF₃)₁₈ were discussed in terms of their addition patterns and the relative formation energies. Extensive theoretical DFT calculations were performed to identify the most stable molecular structures. It was found that the addition of CF₃ groups to the C₈₄(23) fullerene is governed by two main rules: no additions in positions of triple hexagon junctions and predominantly para additions in C₆(CF₃)₂ hexagons on the fullerene cage. The only exception with an isolated CF₃ group in C₈₄(23)(CF₃)₁₂ is discussed in more detail.     

[6,6]‐Open and [6,6]‐Closed Isomers of C70(CF2): Synthesis,Electrochemical and Quantum Chemical Investigation

Novel difluoromethylenated [70]fullerene derivatives, C₇₀(CF₂)_n (n=1–3), were obtained by the reaction of C₇₀ with sodium difluorochloroacetate. Two major products, isomeric C₇₀(CF₂) mono‐adducts with [6,6]‐open and [6,6]‐closed configurations, were isolated and their homofullerene and methanofullerene structures were reliably determined by a variety of methods that included X‐ray analysis and high‐level spectroscopic techniques. The [6,6]‐open isomer of C₇₀(CF₂) constitutes the first homofullerene example of a non‐hetero [70]fullerene derivative in which functionalisation involves the most reactive bond in the polar region of the cage. Voltammetric estimation of the electron affinity of the C₇₀(CF₂) isomers showed that it is substantially higher for the [6,6]‐open isomer (the 70‐electron π‐conjugated system is retained) than the [6,6]‐closed form, the latter being similar to the electron affinity of pristine C₇₀. In situ ESR spectroelectrochemical investigation of the C₇₀(CF₂) radical anions and DFT calculations of the hyperfine coupling constants provide evidence for the first example of an inter‐conversion between the [6,6]‐closed and [6,6]‐open forms of a cage‐modified fullerene driven by an electrochemical one‐electron transfer. Thus, [6,6]‐closed C₇₀(CF₂) constitutes an interesting example of a redox‐switchable fullerene derivative.     

Synthesis of tris(β,β,γ-oximinoalkyl)amines from aliphatic nitro compounds and methyl vinyl ketone

A general strategy for the assembly of previously unknown tris(β,β,γ-oximinoalkyl)amines from aliphatic nitro compounds and methyl vinyl ketone is described. The strategy involves N,N-bis(siloxy)enamines as key intermediates. The latter are accessible by double silylation of alkylnitro compounds. Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of tris(β,β,γ-oximinoalkyl)amines are prepared and structurally characterized.     

Formation of DNA‐Copolymer Fibrils Through an Amyloid‐Like Nucleation Polymerization Mechanism

Conjugation of a hydrophobic poly(2‐oxazoline) bearing tertiary amide groups along its backbone with a short single stranded nucleotide sequence results in an amphiphilic comb/graft copolymer, which organizes in fibrils upon direct dissolution in water. Supported by circular dichroism, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scattering data, fibrils are formed through inter‐ and intramolecular hydrogen bonding between hydrogen accepting amide groups along the polymer backbone and hydrogen donating nucleic acid grafts leading to the formation of hollow tubes.