Wave-vector diagrams for two-dimensional photonic crystals

Photonic crystals exhibit band gaps, meaning that electromagnetic fields cannot propagate in them for specific ranges of wavelengths and directions. The calculation of band structure diagrams has been intensively studied and is now well understood. In contrast to that, so-called wave-vector diagrams (i.e. dispersion surfaces, depicting the loci of all relevant wave vectors at a fixed wavelength) are less known and used. In principle, they show how the effective index of the structure depends on the direction of propagation. A method to calculate explicitly wave-vector diagrams for two-dimensional photonic crystals is derived which leads finally to quadratic eigenvalue problems. Results for square and triangular lattices are presented and some applications are discussed.     

Kinetik und mechanismus der elektrochemischen reduktion von 2,2′-dipyridyl I. Primärprozesse: Vorgelagerte isomerisierung eines komplexes

Polarography and chronopotentiometry are used to study the primary processes of the reduction of 2,2′-bipyridine at mercury electrodes in aqueous solutions (12 < pH < 14). Bipyridine and its first reduction product are strongly adsorbed. The reduction is preceded by a complex equilibrium between bipyridine and the cation of the supporting electrolyte (Li, Na, K, Ba). Due to the great excess of the cations, the equilibrium is shifted completely to the side of the complex, which exists as cis- and trans-isomer. The cis-form is more stable, forming a chelate, the trans-form however is more easily reducible. The kinetic and thermodynamic data of the isomerization are determined. The first reduction product reacts irreversibly giving a substance which can be reoxidized to bipyridine via a radical intermediate.     

Synthesis of (±)-Desmarestene and (±)-Viridiene,the Two Sperm Releasing and Attracting Pheromones from the Brown Algae Desmarestia aculeata and Desmarestia viridis

Desmarestene 1 6-(1Z,3-butadienyl)-1,4-cycloheptadiene and viridiene 3 cis-3-(1Z, 3-butadienyl)-4-vinylcyclopentene are chemical messengers for male gametes of the brown algae Desmarestia aculeate and Desmarestia viridis. Total syntheses of 1 , 3 and their stereoisomers 1a , 3a - c are reported. Gas-chromatographic comparison of synthetic 1 and 3 with the corresponding natural products has established their structural identity.     

Structure Determination of a New Spirobicyclic Triterpenoid from Iris foetidissima

The novel iridal 10 has been isolated from rhizome extracts of Iris foetidissima. Its structure was established by spectroscopic methods and oxidative degradation. Final proof of the spirobicyclic nature of the compound – a new feature in the triterpenoid field – was afforded by the correlations observed in the 2D-HMBC- (¹H-detected multiple-bond heteronuclear multiple-quantum coherence) spectrum. The possible biogenesis of this unusual compound is discussed.     

Electron exchange in the tetracyanoquinodimethane system: Unexpected dependence on solvent polarity and viscosity

The electron transfer rate between tetracyanoquinodimethane and its radical anion is measured for different solvents and temperatures using ESR line broadening. The solvent polarity term γ = 1/n² - 1/ε (n is the refractive index, ε the dielectric constant) could be changed in the range 0.05 ≤ γ ≤ 0.53. The true rate constants k (corrected for diffusion) are discussud in terms of the classical theory of electron transfer. A linear dependence of ln k on γ is only found with a viscosity-dependent pre-exponential factor. The outer reorganization energy is small compared with the inner and has a negative sign. This is explained by the special arrangement of the ellipsoidal reactants in the activated complex.     

Characterization of Heterogeneous Catalysts by use of Test Reactions

The following report gives an overview on work done in the Catalysis Laboratory of the Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore over the last 15 years (1989–2004). Much of this work can be described as “characterization of catalytically active surfaces through test reactions”. The methods, systems studied and the reactions that we evaluated will be described. The review will mostly concentrate on work from the authors’ laboratory, but other relevant work will also be cited.