The Crystal Structure of Trimethyl Borate by Neutron and X‐ray Powder Diffraction

The crystal structure of one of the simplest organoboron compounds, trimethyl borate does not appear to have been determined hitherto. The compound is of interest for the study of π‐donor ligands and their interaction with the π‐acceptor behavior of trigonal boron and the consequences of such interactions on molecular structure. We used powder neutron (with isotopically labeled material) and X‐ray diffraction to determine the crystal structure of trimethyl borate at 15 K and 200 K (neutron) and 200 K (X‐ray). The material is hexagonal (Z = 2) with a = b = 6.950(8) Å and c = 6.501(3) Å at 15 K. The unit cell volume is 272.00(1) ų. The space group is P6₃/m (SG 176) at 15 K and 200 K. This is the first crystal structure solved on the Neutron Powder Diffractometer (NPDF) at the Lujan Center.     

求解复杂湍流的非线性涡黏性系数模型和代数应力模型

非线性涡黏性系数模型和代数应力模型联系了线性涡黏性系数湍流模型和完整的微分 雷诺应力模型.随着它们受到日益关注,其形式也越来越多样化.本篇综述的目的是对这些模 型加以总结并比较它们之间的共同点及不同之处,指出它们与完整微分雷诺应力模型之间的 关系,以及相对于线性涡黏性系数模型而言它们在预报流场上所具有的优势.     

Coherent carbon cryogel-ammonia borane nanocomposites for H2 storage

Coherent carbon cryogel-ammonia borane (C-AB) nanocomposites were synthesized, and improved H2 storage properties are reported. Porous carbon cryogels were impregnated with AB in tetrahydrofuran solution at 25 degrees C under argon; 30% of the carbon cryogel pore volume was filled to produce a 24 wt % C-AB nanocomposite. Nitrogen sorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, differential thermal/thermal gravimetric analyses, mass spectrometry, and 11B NMR were used to characterize the coherent C-AB nanocomposites. Findings include a merged two-step hydrogen release reaction with an appreciable reduction in the dehydrogenation temperature to <90 degrees C as well as the suppression of borazine release. The possible nanosize effects on the H2 storage properties are discussed.     

Model studies of colloidal silica precipitation using biosilica extracts from<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Equisetum telmateia</Emphasis>

Structural materials containing silicon are produced in single celled organisms through to higher plants and animals. Hydrated amorphous silica is a colloidal mineral of infinite functionality that is formed into structures with microscopic and macroscopic form. Proteins and proteoglycans are suggested to play a critical role in the catalysis of silica polycondensation and in structure direction during the formation of these magnificent structures. This article extends knowledge on the effect of protein containing biosilica extracts from Equisetum telmateia on the kinetics of silica formation and structure regulation. Utilising potassium silicon catecholate as the source of soluble silicon, bioextracts obtained from plant silica by dissolution of the siliceous phase with aqueous HF following extensive acid digestion of the plant cell wall were found to modify the kinetic rate constants for the formation of small silicic acid oligomers under circumneutral pH conditions and to modify the solubility of silicic acid in solution. Addition of the bioextracts at ca. 1 wt% to the reaction medium reduced the sizes and range of sizes of the fundamental silica particles formed and led to the formation of crystalline polymorphs of silica under conditions of ca. neutral pH, room temperature and in the absence of multiply charged cations, conditions assumed to be relevant to the biological mineralization environment. The ability of biological organisms to regulate the formation of silica structures with prevention of crystallinity is discussed as are the implications of this study in terms of the generation of new materials with specific form and function for industrial application.     

A Diels-Alder Reaction Conducted Within the Parameters of Aqueous Organocatalysis: Still Just Smoke and Mirrors

Conducting reactions using water as solvent is a highly prized goal for the organic chemist. Based upon recent literature and our continuing interest in the field of aqueous organocatalysis, we tested the scope of an enamine based Diels-Alder reaction using (±)-nornicotine, proline, and a proline derivative as aqueous organocatalysts. Unfortunately, none of the examined catalysts under aqueous conditions proved useful, leaving the aqueous Diels-Alder reaction as an elusive goal.     

Sandwich-type germanotungstates: structure and magnetic properties of the dimeric polyoxoanions [M4(H2O)2(GeW9O34)2]12 - (M = Mn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+)

The novel dimeric germanotungstates [M(4)(H(2)O)(2)(GeW(9)O(34))(2)](12)(-) (M = Mn(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+)) have been synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, magnetic measurements, and (183)W-NMR spectroscopy. X-ray single-crystal analyses were carried out on Na(12)[Mn(4)(H(2)O)(2)(GeW(9)O(34))(2)].38H(2)O (Na(12)()-1), which crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, with a = 13.0419(8) A, b = 17.8422(10) A, c = 21.1626(12) A, beta = 93.3120(10) degrees, and Z = 2; Na(11)Cs(2)[Cu(4)(H(2)O)(2)(GeW(9)O(34))(2)]Cl.31H(2)O (Na(11)()Cs-2) crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 12.2338(17) A, b = 12.3833(17) A, c = 15.449(2) A, alpha = 100.041(2) degrees, beta = 97.034(2) degrees, gamma = 101.153(2) degrees, and Z = 1; Na(12)[Zn(4)(H(2)O)(2)(GeW(9)O(34))(2)].32H(2)O (Na(12)()-3) crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 11.589(3) A, b = 12.811(3) A, c = 17.221(4) A, alpha = 97.828(6) degrees, beta = 106.169(6) degrees, gamma = 112.113(5) degrees, and Z = 1; Na(12)[Cd(4)(H(2)O)(2)(GeW(9)O(34))(2)].32.2H(2)O (Na(12)()-4) crystallizes also in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 11.6923(17) A, b = 12.8464(18) A, c = 17.616(2) A, alpha = 98.149(3) degrees, beta = 105.677(3) degrees, gamma = 112.233(2) degrees, and Z = 1. The polyanions consist of two lacunary B-alpha-[GeW(9)O(34)](10)(-) Keggin moieties linked via a rhomblike M(4)O(16) (M = Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd) group leading to a sandwich-type structure. (183)W-NMR studies of the diamagnetic Zn and Cd derivatives indicate that the solid-state polyoxoanion structures are preserved in solution. EPR measurements on Na(12)()-1 at frequencies up to 188 GHz and temperatures down to 4 K yield a single, exchange-narrowed peak, at g(iso) = 1.9949, typical of Mn systems, and an upper limit of |D| = 20.0 mT; its magnetization studies still await further theoretical treatment. Detailed EPR studies on Na(11)()Cs-2 over temperatures down to 2 K and variable frequencies yield g( parallel ) = 2.4303 and g( perpendicular ) = 2.0567 and A( parallel ) = 4.4 mT (delocalized over the Cu(4) framework), with |D| = 12.1 mT. Magnetization studies in addition yield the exchange parameters J(1) = -11 and J(2) = -82 cm(-)(1), in agreement with the EPR studies.     

Magnetic dissipation and fluctuations in individual nanomagnets measured by ultrasensitive cantilever magnetometry

Cantilever magnetometry with moment resolution better than 10(4)micro(B) was used to study individual nanomagnets. By using the fluctuation-dissipation theorem to interpret measurements of field-induced cantilever damping, the low frequency spectral density of magnetic fluctuations could be determined with resolution better than 1micro(B) Hz-1/2. Cobalt nanowires exhibited significant magnetic dissipation and the associated magnetic fluctuations were found to have 1/f frequency dependence. In individual submicron rare-earth alloy magnets, the dissipation/fluctuation was very small and not distinguishable from that of a bare silicon cantilever.     

Control of four-level quantum coherence via discrete spectral shaping of an optical frequency comb

We present experiments demonstrating high-resolution and wide-bandwidth coherent control of a four-level atomic system in a diamond configuration. A femtosecond frequency comb is used to excite a specific pair of two-photon transitions in cold 87Rb. The optical-phase-sensitive response of the closed-loop diamond system is studied by controlling the phase of the comb modes with a pulse shaper. Finally, the pulse shape is optimized resulting in a 256% increase in the two-photon transition rate by forcing constructive interference between the mode pairs detuned from an intermediate resonance.