The effect of crown ethers on the alkylation of a cyclic β-keto ester

The effects of crown ethers (6 and 7) on the reactions of sodium (2a) and potassium enolates (2b) of 2-ethoxycarbonylcyclohexanone (1) with isopropyl iodide in dimethylsulfoxide and dimethoxyethane have been investigated. When the addition of crown ether promoted dissociation of ion pair 2 in either of the two solvents, the total rate of reaction (k_t) increased and the ratio of carbon- (3) to oxygen-alkylation (4 and 5) products decreased. The results are consistent with the involvement of both the ion pair and more dissociated species in alkylation and with greater reactivity for the latter.     

Towards slow μ− production via muon catalyzed fusion

Slow ^– production via dd-CF using a two-layer arrangement is investigated. To determine its feasibility, experimental measurements are now in progress using the muonic X-ray detection method. The following experimental steps are being considered: (1) measurement of the number of ^– stopped inside a solid H₂/D₂ layer by detecting p K X-rays, (2) hot d emission detection by placing a secondary target at a distance of 10–30 mm from the layer and by detecting specific delayed X-rays, (3) measurement of the disappearance of d emission as the added D₂ layer is increased, (4) dd-CF measurement by detecting fusion protons, and (5) slow ^– emission detection. Results of the initial test experiment are presented.     

Unprecedented reversible migration of amide to schiff base ligands attached to tin: latent single-site initiators for lactide polymerization

In an unprecedented transformation, amide ligands are found to attack the imine carbon centers of tridentate Schiff base ligands attached to tin. The process is reversible, and the resultant (masked) amide species can be exploited as latent single-site initiators for the controlled polymerization of rac-lactide.     

X-ray diffraction and morphology of crystalline,hard, elastic materials

Summary X-ray diffraction and electron microscopic results on several crystalline polymers which demonstrate elastic properties (polypropylene, Celcon^®, poly-4-methyl-pentene) are reported. Photographic small angle X-ray diffraction techniques provided considerable qualitative information, concerning the morphological features of these elastic materials both as extruded, annealed and during extension. Lamellar thickness, thickness distribution and perfection of lamellae could be estimated. Lateral order features and orientation of the lamellar structures were obtainable from the sharpness and length of the equatorial wide angle diffraction arcs. Electron microscopic results essentially confirm the morphological features postulated on the basis of the X-ray results. These morphological features are discussed in terms of a general structural model which appears consistent with the mechanical properties of these materials.

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Zusammenfassung Röntgenbeugung und elektronenmikroskopische Daten von einigen kristallinen Polymerprodukten mit elastischen Eigenschaften (Polypropylen, Celcon, Poly-4-methylpenten) werden berichtet. Die photographische Röntgen-Kleinwinkelmethode liefert wichtige qualitative Messungen der morphologischen Struktur dieser elastischen Materialien in den Zuständen sowohl wie hergestellt als auch nach Tempern und während des Dehnungsprozesses. Die Dicke der Lamellen, ihre Dikkenverteilung und die Güte der Lamellen konnten abgeschätzt werden. Die laterale Ordnung und die Orientierung der Lamellen kann aus Weitwinkelbeugungsdaten abgeleitet werden. Die Elektronenmikroskopie bestätigt die Morphologie, die aus Röntgendaten folgt. Ein allgemeines Strukturmodel dieser Morphologie, das im Einklang mit den mechanischen Eigenschaften dieser Produkte steht, wird diskutiert.