Study of the peak effect phenomenon in single crystals of 2H-NbSe2

The weakly pinned single crystals of the hexagonal 2H-NbSe₂ compound have emerged as prototypes for determining and characterizing the phase boundaries of the possible order-disorder transformations in the vortex matter. We present here a status report based on the ac and dc magnetization measurements of the peak effect phenomenon in three crystals of 2H-NbSe₂, in which the critical current densities vary over two orders of magnitude. We sketch the generic vortex phase diagram of a weakly pinned superconductor, which also utilizes theoretical proposals. We also establish the connection between the metastability effects and pinning.     

Novel binding of beryllium to dicarboxyimidazole-based model compounds and polymers

The ligand 4,5-dicarboxyimidazole (H(2)DCI) and its methyl derivative 1-methyl-4,5-dicarboxyimidazole (H(2)MDCI) have been shown to bind to Be(II) forming a zwitterionic species that has been structurally characterized. A new dicarboxyimidazole-based polymer has been prepared and its Be-binding properties have been studied using NMR ((1)H and (9)Be) and fluorescence spectroscopy; it represents a rare example of beryllium binding to a polymer. Models of the mononuclear and polymeric Be(II)-binding sites have been studied using density functional theory (DFT), and the (9)Be NMR chemical shifts of these model materials have been calculated for the purpose of direct comparison to experimentally observed values. Differences in the binding modes of the mononuclear and polymeric species are discussed.     

The design and synthesis of porphyrin/oligiothiophene hybrid monomers

In an effort to build effective photovoltaic cells based on porphyrin-functionalised polythiophenes we have focused on synthetic routes to three monomer types. By controlling the geometric structure of the monomer, oxidation of these materials should produce polymers with different architectural structures, and as a result, different opto-electronic properties. Employing Wittig protocols allowed access to monomers in which the porphyrin moiety is connected to the beta-position of the thiophene via an alkene linkage. In addition, monomers were constructed using porphyrin condensation methods to afford alpha-thiophene meso-substituted porphryins. Another set of monomers was also prepared via porphyrin condensation routes, but instead utilising beta-formylthiophenes. By utilising different formyloligothiophenes we were able to generate a series of monomers that can be used to control the loading of the porphyrin in the polythiophene matrix.     

Thermal stereomutations and stereochemically elucidated [1,3]-carbon sigmatropic shifts of 1-(E)-propenyl-2-methylcyclobutanes giving 3,4-dimethylcyclohexenes

The thermal stereomutations and [1,3] carbon sigmatropic shifts shown by (+)-(1S,2S)-trans-1-(E)-propenyl-2-methylcyclobutane and by (-)-(1S,2R)-cis-1-(E)-propenyl-2-methylcyclobutane in the gas phase at 275 degrees C leading to 3,4-dimethylcyclohexenes have been followed. The reaction-time-dependent data for concentrations and enantiomeric excess values for substrates and [1,3] shift products have been deconvoluted to afford rate constants for the discrete isomerization processes. Both trans and cis substrates react through four stereochemically distinct [1,3] carbon shift paths. For one enantiomer of the trans reactant the relative rate constants are k(si) = 58%, k(ar) = 5%, k(sr) = 33%, and k(ai) = 4%. For a single enantiomer of the cis reactant, k'(si) = 18%, k'(ar) = 11%, k'(sr) = 51%, and k'(ai) = 20%. A trans starting material reacts through orbital symmetry allowed suprafacial,inversion and antarafacial,retention paths to give trans-3,4-dimethylcyclohexenes 63% of the time. A cis isomer reacts to give the more stable trans-3,4-dimethylcyclohexenes through orbital symmetry-forbidden suprafacial,retention and antarafacial,inversionpaths 71% of the time. The [1,3] carbon sigmatropic shifts are not controlled by orbital symmetry constraints. They seem more plausible rationalized as proceeding through diradical intermediates having some conformational flexibility after formation and before encountering an exit channel. The distribution of stereochemical outcomes may well be conditioned by dynamic effects. The thermal stereomutations of the 1-(E)-propenyl-2-methylcyclobutanes take place primarily through one-center epimerizations. For the trans substrate, the relative importance of the three distinction rate constants are k(2) = 48%, k(1) = 34%, and k(12) = 18%. For the cis isomer, k'(2) = 44%, k'(1) = 32%, and k'(12) = 24%. These patterns are reminiscent of ones determined for stereomutations in 1,2-disubstitued cyclopropanes.