Titanium complexes bearing carbamato ligands as catalytic precursors for propylene polymerization reactions

This report describes propylene polymerization reactions with titanium complexes bearing carbamato ligands, Ti(O₂CNMe₂)Cl₂ ( I ) and Ti(O₂CR₂)₄ [R₂ = NMe₂ ( II ), NEt₂ ( III ) and ( IV )]. Combinations of these complexes and MAO form catalysts for the synthesis of atactic polypropylene, as confirmed by FT‐IR, DSC and ¹³C NMR analysis. Effects of main reaction parameters on the catalyst activity were studied including the type of complex, solvent, temperature, and the [Al]/[Ti] molar ratio. The highest activity was observed when chlorobenzene was used as a solvent and AlMe₃‐depleted MAO was employed as a cocatalyst. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4095–4102     

House-of-security approach to measurement in analytical chemistry: quantification of human error using expert judgments

A new technique for quantification of human errors in chemical analysis using expert judgments is described. This technique is based on the house-of-security approach developed recently in the field of safety and security for prevention of terrorist and criminal attacks against an organization. The following relative quantification parameters (expressed in %) are proposed in the technique: (a) likelihood score of human error in a chemical analytical measurement/testing method, (b) severity score of human error for reliability of the test results, (c) importance score of a component of a laboratory quality system, and (d) effectiveness score of the quality system as a whole in preventing/blocking human error. As an example, 34 scenarios of human error in pH measurement of groundwater are discussed and quantified.     

1,1′,1′′-(2,4,6-Trihydroxybenzene-1,3,5-triyl)triethanone tautomerism revisited

It has recently been suggested that 1,1′,1′′-(2,4,6-trihydroxybenzene-1,3,5-triyl)triethanone may be tautomeric. Using ¹³C NMR chemical shifts and deuterium isotope effects on ¹³C chemical shifts, it is demonstrated that this is not the case. This compound occurs as a strongly hydrogen bonded benzene structure with hydrogen bonds between OH groups and the acetyl groups in both non-polar and hydrogen donating solvents. Quantum-chemical calculations using MP2 and M06-2X methods show substantial preference for the phenol structure in both the gas phase, and in cyclohexane and methanol. In addition, conventional UV–vis spectroscopy data suggest not tautomeric, but aggregation behaviour of the molecule in methanol and acetonitrile.     

Enumeration of non-labile oxygen atoms in dissolved organic matter by use of 16O/18O exchange and Fourier transform ion-cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

We report a simple approach for enumeration of non-labile oxygen atoms in individual molecules of dissolved organic matter (DOM), using acid-catalyzed ¹⁶O/¹⁸O exchange and ultrahigh-resolution Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron-resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS). We found that by dissolving DOM in H₂ ¹⁸O at 95 °C for 20 days it is possible to replace all oxygen atoms of DOM molecules (excluding oxygen from ether groups) with ¹⁸O. The number of exchanges in each molecule can be determined using high-resolution FTICR. Using the proposed method we identified the number of non-labile oxygen atoms in 231 molecules composing DOM. Also, using a previously developed hydrogen–deuterium (H/D)-exchange approach we identified the number of labile hydrogen atoms in 450 individual molecular formulas. In addition, we observed that several backbone hydrogen atoms can be exchanged for deuterium under acidic conditions. The method can be used for structural and chemical characterization of individual DOM molecules, comparing different DOM samples, and investigation of biological pathways of DOM in the environment.     

Application of positron spectroscopy for investigation of threshold space of oil-gas rocks

This article considers the possibility of applying the positron annihilation spectroscopy method for investigating the pore space of rocks from oil-gas and methane-coal deposits. The diagnostics of the structure was performed using the method of spectrometry of angular correlation of annihilation rays (ACAR). Using the samples of porous silicon, the authors have shown the applicability of the ACAR method for determination of the average dimensions of spherical and cylindrical nanosized objects and their concentration      

Mesoionic Dithiolates (MIDts) Derived from 1,3-Imidazole-Based Anionic Dicarbenes (ADCs)

Mesoionic dithiolates [(MIDt^Ar)Li(LiBr)₂(THF)₃] (MIDt^Ar={SC(NDipp)}₂CAr; Dipp=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃; Ar=Ph 3 a , 3-MeC₆H₄ (3-Tol) 3 b , 4-Me₂NC₆H₄ (DMP) 3 c ) and [(MIDt^Ph)Li(THF)₂] ( 4 ) are readily accessible (in≥90 % yields) as crystalline solids on treatments of anionic dicarbenes Li(ADC^Ar) ( 2 a - c ) (ADC^Ar={C(NDipp)₂}₂CAr) with elemental sulfur. 3 a - c and 4 are monoanionic ditopic ligands with both the sulfur atoms formally negatively charged, while the 1,3-imidazole unit bears a formal positive charge. Treatment of 4 with (L)GeCl₂ (L=1,4-dioxane) affords the germylene (MIDt^Ph)GeCl ( 5 ) featuring a three-coordinated Ge atom. 5 reacts with (L)GeCl₂ to give the Ge−Ge catenation product (MIDt^Ph)GeGeCl₃ ( 6 ). KC₈ reduction of 5 yields the homoleptic germylene (MIDt^Ph)₂Ge ( 7 ). Compounds 3 a - c and 4 – 7 have been characterized by spectroscopic studies and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The electronic structures of 4 – 7 have been analyzed by DFT calculations.     

Acousto-optic deflector: A new method to increase the efficiency and bandwidth

A new type of acousto-optic deflector based on anisotropic diffraction in paratellurite crystal is developed. Specific features of the method and proposed device are related to the broadening of the angular scanning range at a relatively high diffraction efficiency. The method is based on the application of the properties of the Bragg diffraction at phase modulation indices of 3π. Significant broadening of the frequency band at a relatively high diffraction efficiency is observed at high phase-modulation indices. Simultaneous application of indices of π and 3π allows a decrease in the control power to practically acceptable levels that provide continuous operation.     

Mixing gasdynamic laser with nonequilibrium arc excitation

A mixing gasdynamic laser with nonuniform arc excitation is investigated using a model setup. Tentative analysis of the results indicates the appropriateness of using plasmatrons to improve the efficiency of mixing gasdynamic lasers by making carbon dioxide molecules vibrationally more nonuniform. In addition, a plasmatron serves as a preionization source both for a fast-flow gas-discharge laser and for a gasdynamic laser with combined pumping.     

Acousto-optic modulator of depolarized laser radiation on the paratellurite crystal

An original acousto-optic modulator of depolarized laser radiation is based on a paratellurite crystal in the regime of anisotropic diffraction by a slow acoustic wave. Two acoustic waves with different frequencies are simultaneously excited in a single acousto-optic cell. Two diffraction orders of orthogonal polarizations at the exit from the cell are diffracted in opposite sides relative to the zero order. A polarization prism that is placed immediately behind the cell transforms the diffraction orders into a single output depolarized beam. The total efficiency is 96%.     

Study of the energy spectrum and mass composition of primary cosmic rays in the energy range of 10<Superscript>18</Superscript>–10<Superscript>20</Superscript> eV using a balloon setup in antarctica (SPHERE-antarctica project)

An Antarctic balloon experiment for measuring the energy spectrum and elemental composition of cosmic rays in the ultrahigh-energy range (10¹⁸–10²⁰) eV is proposed. Scientific equipment will measure fluorescence caused by an extensive air shower formed in the atmosphere by an ultrahigh energy particle and Cherenkov light of this shower reflected from a snow surface. It is assumed that the balloon will fly in the circumpolar orbit in Antarctica at a height of ~25 km for (2–3) winter (in the Southern Hemisphere)months. For this time, ~3000 events caused by particles with energies above 10¹⁸ eV and (200–300) events caused by particles with energies above 10¹⁹ eV will be detected.