Density functional and spectroscopic studies of nitrogen inversion in substituted dizocilpines

While developing a synthesis towards tagged dizocilpine (MK‐801) analogues, we observed highly restricted inversion of a nitrogen centre in a number hydroxylamines obtained as key intermediates. These compounds are shown to possess some of the structural elements which are expected to significantly hinder the nitrogen inversion, potentially leading to hydroxylamines with a chiral nitrogen centre. Free energy barriers (ΔG^≠) of the nitrogen inversion were estimated to be ca. 22 kcal mol^?1 at temperatures near 420 K using variable temperature NMR measurements in DMSO‐d₆. Further density functional studies of a number model systems were undertaken in order to better rationalize the measured inversion barriers and follow the role of various structural factors in raising the barrier height of the nitrogen inversion process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Laser synthesis of nanostructured ceramics from liquid precursors

The free-form net shape laser synthesis of nanostructured ceramics from liquid precursors enables a residual stress-free production of high temperature resistant ceramic units and components for the use in microsystem engineering. Due to the use of molecular compounded liquid, ceramic precursors the resulting ceramic components show outstanding properties, for example high purity and a nanostructured material design.The use of pulsed lasers enables a defined input of energy required to pyrolyse the precursor material into a crystalline ceramic, so the active volume can be reduced significantly compared to other processes, for example pyrolysis by furnace.In this paper several methods for a further minimization of the active volume are presented. The investigations determined different factors affecting the process. Realizing selective experiments allows a determination of their influencing level and the definition of a working area to produce three-dimensional components with high aspect ratio.By several studies, e.g., scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy as well as X-ray diffraction analysis, the atomic structure and composition of the created components were analyzed and valued, so the different reaction processes can be described extensively.     

Rate enhancement of PFP sulfonate ester aminolysis by chloride salts in organic and aqueous media

We report here, a method of accelerating the rate of aminolysis of PFP sulfonates to yield sulfonamides using tetrabutylammonium salts. We have previously explored the utility of employing PFP sulfonates in the formation of sulfonamides; however we demonstrate here the advantages of combining the existing methodology with a revised protocol which allows the diversity within both the sulfonate ester and the amine to be extended.     

Effect of available volumes on radial distribution functions

The traditional method of analyzing solution structuring properties of solutes using atom–atom radial distribution functions (rdfs) can give rise to misleading interpretations when the volume occupied by the solute is ignored. It is shown by using the examples of O(4) in α- and β-D-allose that a more reliable interpretation of rdfs can be obtained by normalising the rdf using the available volume, rather than the traditional volume of a spherical shell. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 19: 363–367, 1998     

A selective,tin-free radical mediated synthesis of indoles based on a sulfonate template

A synthesis of indoles based on a vinyl sulfonate template is described. The approach employs a sulfonate group which plays three discrete roles in the synthetic sequence. Firstly the highly electron-withdrawing sulfonate group behaves as an activating group for a 1,4-addition of an aniline to the unsaturated system. Secondly, the electron-withdrawing nature of the same group also allows it to behave as a radical stabilising group which facilitates radical cyclisation to an aromatic ring to yield a transient indoline. Finally, the pendant sulfonate group behaves as a leaving group to yield the indole.     

Gamma-spectrometric measurement procedure for a clearance concept of radioactively contaminated mercury from nuclear facilities

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Radioactive mercury waste constitutes a significant challenge, as no approved disposal concept yet exists for such waste in Germany. This work...     

Operator algebras and a theorem of Dieudonne

LetA be aC*-algebra with second dualA″. Let (φ _n)(n=1,...) be a sequence in the dual ofA such that limφ _n(a) exists for eacha εA. In general, this does not imply that limφ _n(x) exists for eachx εA″. But if limφ _n(p) exists whenever p is the range projection of a positive self-adjoint element of the unit ball ofA, then it is shown that limφ _n(x) does exist for eachx inA″. This is a non-commutative generalisation of a celebrated theorem of Dieudonné. A new proof of Dieudonné’s theorem, for positive measures, is given here. The proof of the main result makes use of Dieudonné’s original theorem.