New data on the ternary fission of 252Cf from the Gammasphere facility

Ternary fission of ²⁵²Cf was studied at Gammasphere using eight ΔE×E particle telescopes. Helium, beryllium, boron, and carbon light charged particles (LCPs) emitted with kinetic energy more than 9, 21, 26, and 32 MeV, respectively, were identified. The 3368-keV γ transition from the first 2⁺ excited state in ¹⁰Be was found and the population probability ratio N(2⁺)/N(0⁺) = 0.160 ± 0.025 was estimated. No evidence was found for 3368-keV γ rays emitted from a triple molecular state. For the first time, charge distributions are obtained for ternary fission fragments emitted with helium, beryllium, and carbon LCPs.     

K-shell ionization in relativistic ion-atom collisions

We present calculations ofK-shell ionization probabilities in asymmetric ion-atom collisions at relativistic velocities of the projectile. The time-dependent Dirac equation is represented as a system of coupled differential equations. The transition probabilities are determined using the coordinate space method. This necessitates an extension of the angular momentum coupling compared with nonrelativistic collision systems. Effects of the relativistic projectile motion on the coupling matrix elements and their consequences onK-shell ionization are discussed.     

The continuation of the periodic table up to Z = 172. The chemistry of superheavy elements

The chemical elements up toZ = 172 are calculated with a relativistic Hartree-Fock-Slater program taking into account the effect of the extended nucleus. Predictions of the binding energies, the X-ray spectra and the number of electrons inside the nuclei are given for the inner electron shells. The predicted chemical behaviour will be discussed for all elements betweenZ = 104-120 and compared with previous known extrapolations. For the elementsZ = 121–172 predictions of their chemistry and a proposal for the continuation of the Periodic Table are given. The eighth chemical period ends withZ = 164 located below Mercury. The ninth period starts with an alkaline and alkaline earth metal and ends immediately similarly to the second and third period with a noble gas atZ = 172.

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Zusammenfassung Mit einem relativistischen Hartree-Fock-Slater Rechenprogramm werden die chemischen Elemente bis zur Ordnungszahl 172 berechnet, wobei der Einfluß des ausgedehnten Kernes berücksichtigt wurde. Für die innersten Elektronenschalen werden Voraussagen über deren Bindungsenergie, das Röntgenspektrum und die Zahl der Elektronen im Kern gemacht. Die voraussichtliche Chemie der Elemente zwischenZ = 104 und 120 wird diskutiert und mit bereits vorhandenen Extrapolationen verglichen. Für die ElementeZ =121–172 wird eine Voraussage über das chemische Verhalten gegeben, sowie ein Vorschlag für die Fortsetzung des Periodensystems gemacht. Die achte chemische Periode endet mit dem Element 164 im Periodensystem unter Quecksilber gelegen. Die neunte Periode beginnt mit einem Alkali- und Erdalkalimetall und endet sofort wieder wie in der zweiten und dritten Periode mit einem Edelgas beiZ = 172.

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Resumé Les éléments chimiques jusqu'áZ = 172 sont calculés à l'aide d'un programme Hartree-Fock-Slater relativiste en tenant compte de l'extension du noyau. On fournit des prédictions quant aux énergies de liaison, aux spectres X et au nombre d'électrons dans les noyaux pour les couches électroniques internes. Le comportement chimique prévu est discuté pour tous les éléments entreZ = 104–120 et comparé aux extrapolations connues auparavant. Pour les éléments Z =121–172 on effectue des prévisions de propriétés chimiques et l'on propose un prolongement du Tableau Périodique. La huitième période chimique se termine àZ = 164 sous le mercure. La neuviéme période débute avec un métal alcalin et alcalino-terreux et se termine comme la seconde et la troisième période avec un gaz rare àZ = 172.

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This work has been supported by the Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft und Bildung and by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

1.2-Bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)tetrachlorodisilane and its reduction to decamethylsilicocene

Reaction of pentamethylcyclopentadienyl(pentachloro)disilane (2), prepared from hexachlorodisilane and potassium pentamethylcyclopentadienide (Cp^*K), with a further equivalent of Cp^*K leads selectively to the title compound Cp^* ₂ Si ₂ Cl ₄ (3) which was characterized by NMR and X-ray structural data. Dehalogenation of 3 with four equivalents of sodium naphthalenide offers an alternative route for the synthesis of decamethylsilicocene (1). Dedicated to Professor Mitsuo Kira on the occasion of being honoured with the Wacker Silicon Award 2005.     

Concerning the Thermal Diastereomerization of the Green Fluorescent Protein Chromophore

Summary. Two model compounds for the green fluorescent protein chromophore were prepared. One of them incorporates the natural 4-hydroxybenzylidene group of the natural tyrosin derived chromophore, the other one bears a methyl group instead of the hydroxy group. Whereas the photochemically prepared (E)-diastereomer of the first compound very effectively reverted thermally (room temperature) to the thermodynamically stable (Z)-diastereomer, the (E)-diastereomer of the second derivative proved to be stable even at elevated temperatures for more than a day. This finding can be rationalized by constructing the appropriate resonance structures showing that only in the first case an effective delocalization enables partial single bond character of the benzylidene double bond. From the standpoint of chemical etiology, only Nature’s choice of the tyrosin derived chromophore of the green fluorescent protein provides an efficient radiationless thermal relaxation channel for the unwanted photo-diastereomerization product formed after excitation besides the dominating fluorescence channel of its chromophore.     

Lanthanoid-nickel-phosphides with ThCr2Si2-type structure

The new compounds YNi₂P₂ and LnNi₂P₂ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) were prépared by sintering the elemental components in silica tubes. Well-developed crystals were obtained using tin as a flux. They crystallize with the ThCr₂Si₂ (CeGa₂Al₂)-type structure which was refined from single-crystal X-ray data for EuNi₂P₂ to a conventional R value of 0.049 for 118 unique structure factors. While the P atoms in formally isotypic EuCo₂P₂ are isolated from each other, they form pairs in EuNi₂P₂. This results in a different $\text{c}\text{a}$ ratio and an entirely different bonding situation. A comparison of cell volumes shows that Eu in EuNi₂P₂ has an intermediate valence.