Bond functions for AB initio calculations on polyatomic molecules hydrocarbons

Transferable gaussian CH and CC bond functions and a C lone-pair function were optimized and compared to conventional polarization functions. The exponents (α) and position (γ,β) of these functions are α = 0.9, γ = 0.27 for CH bonds; α = 1.2, γ = 0.50 for CC bonds; α = 0.3, β = 0.47 for C lone-pair.     

Magnetic interface polarization of the La-5d states in Fe/LaHx multilayers

For rare-earth (RE)-hydrides (REHx), a metal-to-insulator transition is observed if the hydrogen concentration is increased from the dihydride (x=2) towards the trihydride (x=3). This transition provides an object for studies of the magnetic interface polarization in layered ferromagnet/insulator structures. For different samples with a fixed Fe and varied LaH_x sublayer thickness t_LaHx ([15 ? Fe/t? LaH_x]xn), the H concentration x in the LaH_x sublayer is gradually increased in the experiment. Starting from the as prepared dihydride REH_2-δ, the modification of the magnetic polarization of the La-5d states at the Fe/La_x interface is studied across the transition by magnetic circular dichroism measurements at the La-L₂ and L₃ edges. The experiments reveal an induced magnetic polarization of the La-5d hole states on a length scale of 9 ? that is independent of the altered electronic structure of the La-5d states. Received: 23 May 2001 / Accepted: 4 July 2001 / Published online: 5 October 2001     

Probing the 3d spin momentum with X-ray emission spectroscopy: the case of molecular-spin transitions

We report X-ray emission spectra of Fe(III), Fe(II), and Co(II) spin-crossover compounds in their high-spin and low-spin forms. It is shown that all X-ray emission features are sensitive to the spin state. Variations of the Kbeta and the Kalpha emission line shapes, which are in agreement with theory, can be used as quantitative probes of the spin state; it is suggested that with appropriate reference experiments one can extract the spin momentum for a general case. Resonant X-ray emission spectra unveil details of the redistribution of electrons on the 3d levels associated with the spin-state change by revealing features at the X-ray absorption preedge not accessible through standard absorption measurements.     

PRESSURE-VELOCITY EQUILIBRIUM HYDRODYNAMIC MODELS

This article describes mathematical models for phase separated mixtures of materials that are in pressure and velocity equilibrium but not necessarily temperature equilibrium. General conditions for constitutive models for such mixtures that exhibit a single mixture sound speed are discussed and specific examples are described.     

A Selective Ru‐Catalyzed Semireduction of Alkynes to Z Olefins under Transfer‐Hydrogenation Conditions

By using a readily available, air‐ and moisture‐stable dihydrido–Ru complex, a variety of Z olefins are accessible under transfer‐hydrogenation conditions with formic acid as the hydrogen source in excellent yields and Z/E selectivities.     

Ab initio study of the O4 molecule

SCF-CI calculations were done on tetratomic oxygen complexes at various geometries. The results point to the existence of a metastable covalent molecule O₄ completely different from the van der Waals structure (O₂)₂ detected experimentally. At its equilibrium geometry, the O₄ molecule is a quasi-square (r(OO) ≈ 1.4 Å), slightly twisted out of plane, corresponding to the symmetry group D_2d. The activation energy of the reaction O₄(¹A_g) → 20₂(X ³Σ^?_g) is found to be ≈ 15 kcal/mole, that of the inverse reaction, ≈ 75 kcal/mole.     

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) characterisation of the hydroformylation of oct-1-ene by dilute Rh-PEt3 catalysts in supercritical carbon dioxide

Dilute EXAFS characterisation has been used to elucidate species involved during the course of the 3 mM Rh-catalysed hydroformylation of oct-1-ene in scCO(2); significant metal clustering occurs with a Rh:P ratio of 1:1 but at a 1:3 ratio, metal clustering is not detected, with the presence of monomer species only.     

Diastereoselective Ru-catalyzed cross-metathesis-dihydroxylation sequence. an efficient approach toward enantiomerically enriched syn-diols

Sequential catalysis has evolved as a powerful concept within the past years and allows the more efficient use of catalytically active expensive transition metals in organic synthesis. In this paper we present the stereoselective cross-metathesis-dihydroxylation of various olefins with chiral auxiliary substituted acrylamides. The chiral information (i.e., the auxiliary) introduced in the metathesis reactions allows for a stereoselective subsequent RuO4-catalyzed dihydroxylation. The sequence is concluded by an unusual kinetic resolution of the diastereomeric diols obtained in the oxidation reaction. As a consequence a variety of structurally diverse enantiomerically enriched diols are obtained. To the best of our knowledge the results summarized in this paper represent the first highly efficient diastereoselective RuO4-catalyzed oxidation.     

Tunable thermoassociation of binary guanosine gels

It is well-known that aqueous solutions of individual guanosine compounds can form gels through reversible self-assembly. Typically, gelation is favored at low temperature and acidic pH. We have discovered that binary mixtures of 5'-guanosine monophosphate (GMP) and guanosine (Guo) can form stable gels at neutral pH over a temperature range that can be tuned by varying the relative proportions of the hydrophobic Guo and the hydrophilic GMP in the mixture. Gelation was studied over the temperature range of 5-40 degrees C or 60 degrees C at pH 7.2 using visual detection, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and CD thermal melt experiments. Solutions with high GMP/Guo ratios behaved similar to solutions of GMP alone while solutions with low GMP/Guo formed firm gels across the entire temperature range. Most interesting were solutions between these two extremes, which were found to exhibit thermoassociative behavior; these solutions are liquid at refrigerator temperature and undergo sharp transitions to a gel only at higher temperatures. Increasing the GMP/Guo ratio and increasing the total concentration of guanosine compounds shifted the onset of gelation to higher temperatures (ranging from 20 to 40 degrees C), narrowed the temperature range of the gel phase, and sharpened the reversible phase transitions. The combination of self-assembly, reversibility, and tunability over biologically relevant temperature ranges and pH offers exciting possibilities for these simple and inexpensive materials in medical, biological, analytical, and nanotechnological applications.