Spectra and integrated band intensities of the low order OH stretching overtones in peroxyformic acid: an atmospheric molecule with prototypical intramolecular hydrogen bonding

The gas phase spectra of several vibrational bands of peroxyformic acid (PFA), an atmospheric molecule exhibiting intramolecular hydrogen bonding, are presented. In the fundamental region, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is used to probe the C-O, O-H and C-H stretching vibrations, while in the region of the first and second OH-stretching overtones (2ν(OH) and 3ν(OH)) photoacoustic spectroscopy is used. Integrated absorption cross sections for the PFA vibrational bands are determined by comparing their respective peak areas with that for the OH-stretching bands of n-propanol for which the absorption cross section is known. The measured integrated intensities of the OH stretching bands are then compared with a local mode model using a one-dimensional dipole moment function in conjunction with the OH stretching potential computed at both the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ and CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ levels. The data allow us to investigate changes in the OH stretch band position and intensity as a function of overtone order arising from the influence of hydrogen bonding. Furthermore, calculations at the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ level show that there are three stable conformers of PFA with relative energies of 0, 13.54, and 13.76 kJ/mol, respectively. In the room temperature spectra, however, we see evidence for transitions from only the lowest energy conformer. The geometrical parameters and vibrational frequencies of the most stable conformer are presented.     

Diastereoselective one-pot Wittig olefination-Michael addition and olefin cross metathesis strategy for total synthesis of cytotoxic natural product (+)-varitriol and its higher analogues

A stereoselective route for the total synthesis of anticancer marine natural product (+)-varitriol (1) is detailed herein. The impressive biological activity and interesting structural features of natural (+)-varitriol fuelled us to undertake the synthesis of some higher analogues (1a-j) of this molecule. The key features of the synthetic strategy include one-pot Wittig olefination followed by a highly diastereoselective oxa-Michael addition to assemble stereochemically pure tetrasubstituted THF moiety of the natural varitriol and olefin cross metathesis to couple the aromatic part with tetrasubstituted THF moiety. The total synthesis of title natural product is efficient with 21.8% overall yield for 9 linear steps from D-ribose and thus facilitates the more scaled-up practical route for the synthesis of 1 and its analogues as well. The synthetic (+)-varitriol (1) and its analogues were screened for their cytotoxicity. The present synthetic approach paves the way for preparation of numerous analogues of the title natural product for drug development.     

Halogen bonding or close packing? Examining the structural landscape in a series of Cu(II)-acac complexes

A series of four bifunctional ligands based on β-diketonate moieties bearing methyl (2), chloro (3), bromo (4) and iodo (5) substituents and their corresponding Cu(II) complexes have been synthesized and crystallographically characterized in order to explore the possibility of using halogen bonds for the directed assembly of predictable architectures in coordination chemistry. The four ligands have characteristic O-H···O intramolecular hydrogen bonds and the structure of ligand 2 is close packed whereas, ligands 3, 4 and 5 contain extended 1-D architectures based on C=O···X halogen bonds. In each case, the halogen-bond donor seeks out the most powerful halogen-bond acceptor (based on electrostatic considerations). In the corresponding Cu(II) complexes the coordination chemistry remains a constant throughout the series, the four-coordinate metal ion sits in a slightly distorted square-planar arrangement, and there are no unexpected appearances of coordinated or non-coordinated solvent molecules. Furthermore, the most powerful halogen-bond acceptors have been almost depleted of charge as a result of metal chelation and none of the potential halogen-bond interactions are capable of competing with the head-to-head close packing that is observed in the methyl, chloro, and bromo, substituted Cu(II) complexes. The enhanced polarizability of the iodine atom, produces a more electropositive surface which means that this structure cannot accommodate a linear head-to-head arrangement due to electrostatic repulsion, and thus [Cu(5)(2)] adopts a unique close-packed structure very different from the other three iso-structural complexes, [Cu(2)(2)]-[Cu(4)(2)].     

Natural frequencies of a pre-twisted blade in a centrifugal force field

In this paper, starting with the thin shell theory, the governing partial differential equation of motion for the transverse deflection of a rotating pre-twisted plate is derived. Strain-displacement relationships include the effect of warping of the cross-section due to twist-bend coupling effect introduced as a result of pre-twist in the plate of non-circular (rectangular) cross-section. Then the equation of motion, thus derived, is used to formulate the free vibration of a typical turbo-machinery cantilevered airfoil blade by considering it as a plate of an equivalent rectangular cross-section subjected to a quasi-static load due to centrifugal force field. The analytical derivation considers both the stress-stiffening as well as stress-softening effects of the centrifugal forces on the spinning airfoil. The partial differential equation governing the flexural motion of the plate is transformed into a matrix-eigenvalue form using a Rayleigh-Ritz technique. The plate deformations are represented by a set of ‘admissible’ sinusoidal trial functions, which fully satisfy all the clamped-end constrains as well as the free-edge boundary conditions. The results of the analytical model exhibit an excellent agreement with the previously published test data both for thin and thick plate geometries and even in highly twisted configurations. The results of the eigenvalue solution are presented in a non-dimensional form for plates of varying aspect ratios and different amounts of pre-twist in the plate. The numerical results are directly applicable in determining the static and running frequencies of typical blades used in turbo-machinery.     

First principles study of the electronic and optical properties of SbTaO4

The electronic density of states (DOS), band structure and optical properties of orthorhombic SbTaO₄ are studied by first principles full potential-linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method. The calculation is done in the framework of density functional theory with the exchange and correlation effects treated using generalized gradient approximation (GGA). We find an indirect band gap of 1.9 eV at the R→Γ symmetry direction of the Brillouin zone in SbTaO₄. It is observed that there is a strong hybridization between Ta-5d and O-2p electronic states which is responsible for the electronic properties of the system. Using the projected DOS and band structure we have analyzed the interband contribution to the optical properties of SbTaO₄. The real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function of SbTaO₄ are calculated, which correspond to electronic transitions from the valence band to the conduction band. The band gap obtained is in close agreement with the experimental data.     

Ion association and solvation behavior of some alkali metal acetates in aqueous 2-butanol solutions at T = 298.15, 303.15 and 308.15 K

Molar conductance of lithium acetate, sodium acetate and potassium acetate were studied in aqueous 2-butanol solutions with an alcohol mass fraction (w₂) of 0.70, 0.80 and 0.90 at 298.15, 303.15 and 308.15 K. The conductance data were analyzed with the Fuoss conductance-concentration equation to evaluate the limiting molar conductances (Λ₀), association constants (K_A,c) and cosphere diameter (R) for ion-pair formation. Gibbs energy (ΔG⁰), enthalpy (ΔH⁰) and entropy (ΔS⁰) for ion-association reaction were derived from the temperature dependence of K_A,c. Activation energy for ionic movement (ΔH^#) was derived from the temperature dependence of Λ₀. Based on the composition dependence of Walden products (Λ₀η₀) and different thermodynamic properties (ΔG⁰,ΔH⁰, ΔS⁰ and ΔH^#), the influence of the solvent composition on ion-association and solvation behavior of ions were discussed in terms of ion-solvent, ion-ion interactions and the structural changes in the mixed solvent media.     

Identifying the mechanisms of polymer friction through molecular dynamics simulation

Mechanisms governing the tribological behavior of polymer-on-polymer sliding were investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. Three main mechanisms governing frictional behavior were identified. Interfacial "brushing" of molecular chain ends over one another was observed as the key contribution to frictional forces. With an increase of the sliding speed, fluctuations in frictional forces reduced in both magnitude and periodicity, leading to dynamic frictional behavior. While "brushing" remained prevalent, two additional irreversible mechanisms, "combing" and "chain scission", of molecular chains were observed when the interfaces were significantly diffused.     

Redox-switchable superhydrophobic silver composite

Unique packaging of Ag(2)O on the surface of polycrystalline AgCl allows fabrication of a new useful, superhydrophobic composite material. This pure inorganic material with surface porosity of submicrometer aperture size fabricates air pockets, which make the composite material superhydrophobic. The new material behaves like lotus leaves, butterfly wings, or water strider's leg in relation to superhydrophobicity. Visible light induces photoreduction of solid Ag(2)O surface layer and generates Ag(0), making the composite surface superhydrophilic. Reoxidation of Ag(0) on the composite surface gives back the hydrophobicity that represents the redox-switchable wetting property of the material.     

On the Convergence of Finite Element Method for Second Order Elliptic Interface Problems

The purpose of this paper is to study the convergence of finite element approximation to the exact solution of general self-adjoint elliptic equations with discontinuous coefficients. Due to low global regularity of the solution, it is difficult to achieve optimal order of convergence with classical finite element methods [Numer. Math. 1998; 79:175–202]. In this paper, an isoparametric type of discretization is used to prove optimal order error estimates in L ² and H ¹ norms when the global regularity of the solution is low. The interface is assumed to be of arbitrary shape and is smooth for our purpose. Further, for the purpose of numerical computations, we discuss the effect of numerical quadrature on finite element solution, and the related optimal order estimates are also established.