A trajectory-following method for unconstrained optimization

A trajectory-following method with interesting properties is considered for solving unconstrained nonlinear programming problems. The trajectory is defined by a special system of ordinary differential equations. This system uses only the gradient of the objective function. Numerical examples are given.The work of the second author was supported by the DFG Schwerpunkt Anwendungs-bezogene Optimierung and Steuerung.     

On consistency of bounding operations in deterministic global optimization

This technical comment refers to the discussion of strong consistency of several bounding procedures in Lemma 2.1 and Proposition 2.1 of Ref. 1. A necessary clarification is given of the notion of convergence _q in Lemma 2.1, and a derivation of Proposition 2.1 is presented that includes a new and simple consistency proof of the classical bounding by convex envelopes used in many branch-and-bound procedures.     

Comparison of localization and delocalization indices obtained with Hartree-Fock and conventional correlated methods: effect of Coulomb correlation

Atomic populations and localization [lambda(A)] and delocalization [delta(A,B)] indices (LIs and DIs) are calculated for a large set of molecules at the Hartree-Fock (HF), MP2, MP4(SDQ), CISD, and QCISD levels with the 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set. The HF method and the conventional correlation methods [MP2, MP4(SDQ), CISD, and QCISD] yield distinct sets of LIs and DIs. Yet, within the four conventional correlation methods the differences in atomic populations and LIs and DIs are small. Relative to HF, the conventional correlation methods [MP2, MP4(SDQ), CISD, QCISD] yield virtually the same LIs and DIs for molecules with large charge separations while LIs and DIs that differ significantly from the HF values--the LIs are increased and DIs decreased--are obtained for bonds with no or small charge separations. Such is the case in the archetypal homopolar molecules HC(triple bond)CH, H2C=CH2, CH3-CH3, and "protonated cyclopropane" C(3)H(7) (+), in which case the bonding may be atypical. Relative to HF, the typical effect of the conventional correlation methods is to decrease the DI between atoms.     

甾醇资源的利用和皮质激素侧链的合成方法

本文讨论了开发甾醇资源作为甾体药物合成原料的前景,并综述了近几年由17-酮基甾体合成皮质激素侧链的各种方法。     

Homolytic Cyclizations of N-Chloroalkenylamines

Many N-chloroalkylamines with double bond(s) dissociate homolytically to give chlorine atoms and aminyl radicals which undergo intramolecular cyclization reactions. Here, the nature of the aminyl radicals (neutral, protonated, or complexed to metal salts) appears to be important. The reactivity varies strongly from one species to another, and their selectivities can be different towards addition, substitution, abstraction, or dimerization reactions. A good synthetic tool appears to be the “complexed radical”, which is generated under mild conditions. A variety of β-functionalized, substituted, fused, or bridged azaheterocycles with alkaloid part structures thus become easily accessible in high yields, in a regio- and, possibly, stereoselective manner. Many examples are discussed illustrating the synthetic possibilities, limitations, and mechanistic features of this cyclization process.     

Multiphoton-Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (MUPI-MS) [New Analytical Methods (34)]

Mass spectrometry is one of the most important analytical tools in chemistry, biology, medicine and related areas. During the past 30 years, methods have been developed, both for the qualitative as well as the quantitative analysis of a wide variety of substances. The introduction of lasers into chemistry has also profited mass spectrometry, since its nonlinear properties and its tunability open up fundamentally new frontiers. Multiphoton ionization mass spectrometry combines UV-spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, thus providing a two-dimensional method that enables substance-specific and even state-specific analyses. This progress report presents the fundamentals and possibilities of MUPI mass spectrometry and discusses investigations on amino acids, peptides, chlorophylls and sugars. For each substance, multiphoton ionization can be tuned in such a way that only the molecular ion is formed. An increase of laser intensity induces substance-specific fragmentations of the molecule, thus contributing to a quick and easy identification of the substance.     

Design considerations and an example of application of an in-house made TG-MS interface

The design, the abilities and a characteristic application of an in-house made interface for combining thermogravimetry (TG) with mass spectrometry (MS) are presented. The TG-MS interface consists mainly of three co-axial tubes. The position of the intermediate tube was determined after calculation of the temperature profile at the TG furnace exit tube. The inner tube position was determined taking into consideration its protection against condensation of heavy molecules and the time delay for the transfer of the evolved gases. This interface allows either continuous sampling and transferring of the evolved gases from the TG to the MS or repetitive introduction of short sampling pulses of TG evolved gases to MS. The interface is capable of coupling various commercial instruments. In the present work two configurations of this interface are demonstrated. Finally an example of application of this interface on forest fuel pyrolysis is presented. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Charge donation to and dearomatization of benzene attending complexation: DFT estimates of binding energies of TpMXO(L) with benzene, for Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl) borate, MXO = MoNO, ReCO, and WNO, and L = ammonia, N-methylimidazole, pyridine, phosphine, methyl isocyanide, and carbon monoxide

By density functional methods we characterize the bonding and charge distribution in complexes of benzene with dearomatizing agents tpReCO(L), tpMoNO(L), and tpWNO(L), where tp = hydrido Tris (pyrazolyl)borate), for a range of ligands L. Our LSDA and B3LYP density functional calculations use the Spartan LACVP+ basis and pseudopotential on Re, Mo, and W and 6-31G* on light atoms. The binding energy is strongly dependent on the nature of the ligand L, being greatest for L = ammonia and N-methylimidazole and weakest for CH3NC and CO. We find a correlation between strength of binding and electron transfer from the dearomatizing agents toward benzene. For the most strongly bound systems we find substantial (up to 500 millielectrons) charge transfer towards benzene, while for the most weakly bound systems charge is withdrawn from benzene. Structural details illustrate the ability of Re, Mo, and W species to dearomatize complexed benzene, which is extensive for all but the most weakly bound species with L = MeNC and CO. Re and W dearomatizing agents, which are computed and observed to form stable complexes with benzene, may be economic alternatives to osmium dearomatizing agents.