Quasi‐random integration in quantum chemistry: Efficiency,stability, and application to the study of small atoms and molecules constrained in spherical boxes

This project consists of two parts. In the first part, a series of test calculations is performed to verify that the integrals involved in the determination of atomic and molecular properties by standard self‐consistent field (SCF) methods can be obtained through Halton, Korobov, or Hammersley quasi‐random integration procedures. Through these calculations, we confirm that all three methods lead to results that meet the levels of precision required for their use in the calculation of properties of small atoms or molecules at least at a Hartree–Fock level. Moreover, we have ensured that the efficiency of quasi‐random integration methods that we have tested is Halton=Korobov>Hammersley?pseudo‐random. We also find that these results are comparable to those yielded by ordinary Monte Carlo (pseudo‐random) integration, with a calculation effort of two orders of smaller magnitude. The second part, which would not have been possible without the integration method previously analyzed, contains a first study of atoms constrained in spherical boxes through SCF calculations with basis functions adapted to the features of the problem: Slater‐type orbitals (STOs) trimmed by multiplying them by a function that yields 1 for 0 < r < (R‐δ), polynomial values for (R‐δ) < r < R and null for r > R, R being the radius of the box and δ a variationally determined interval. As a result, we obtain a equation of state for electrons of small systems, valid just in the limit of low temperatures, but fairly simple. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Mathematics: a means of collaboration between industry and university

This paper is divided into two distinct but connected parts. In the first one we look for the best approach to the Mathematics teaching of the future engineer. This approach should have an eminently pragmatic character and should be directed towards teaching engineers to know and manage Mathematics at a tool. In the second part we illustrate how a collaboration with industry can be obtained from this kind of teaching.

Finally the conditions and consequences which should produce this cooperation are analysed, and some particular examples are mentioned.     

A Convenient and Rapid Preparation of Novel Quinoxaline Derivatives

A simple and rapid method for the preparation of a series of novel quinoxaline derivatives in the presence of Ag⁺ is reported.     

Synthesis and characterization of seven-coordinate tripodal imidazole complexes of iron(II) and manganese(II)

The iron(II) and manganese(II) complexes of the N(7) Schiff-base condensate of tris(3-aminopropyl)amine with 1-methyl-2-imidazolecarbaldehyde and the manganese(II) complex of the N(7) Schiff-base condensate of tris(3-aminopropyl)amine with 4-imidazolecarbaldehyde are high-spin mono capped octahedral seven-coordinate complexes with a short, approximately 2.44 è, metal to apical nitrogen bond.     

Surfactant effects on the reaction of 2‐(4‐cyanophenoxy)‐quinoxaline with hydroxide ion

A reaction of 2‐(4‐cyanophenoxy)quinoxaline 1 with hydroxide ion is accelerated by supramolecular aggregates of cetyltrialkylammonium chlorides (alkyl = Me, n‐Pr, and n‐Bu). In diluted surfactant solutions, with relatively high substrate concentration (7.0 × 10^?5 M), rate constants go through double rate maxima with increase in the surfactant concentration. The first rate maximum is ascribed to a reaction occurring in premicellar aggregates and the second to reaction in micelles. At low substrate concentration (7 × 10^?6 M), second‐order rate constants in the micellar pseudophase are dependent on the surfactant headgroup size, which is related to charge dispersion in the transition state. Nonmicellizing tri‐n‐octylmethylammonium ions (TOAMs) increase the reaction of 1 with hydroxide ion. The observed rate enhancements may be due to the formation of small, hydrophobic aggregates which bind the substrate and promote the nucleophilic substitution reaction. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 510–515, 2006     

Steric factors in the gas-phase elimination of esters: The pyrolysis of 2,3-dimethyl-3-pentyl acetate

The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of 2,3-dimethyl-3-pentyl acetate have been studied at a temperature range of 212–260°C and a pressure range of 30–300 mm Hg. The olefins produced are 2-ethyl-3-methyl-1-butene, 3,4-dimethyl-trans-2-pentene, 3,4-dimethyl-cis-2-pentene, and 2,3-dimethyl-2-pentene. The reaction is homogeneous, obeys first-order law, and the value of the rate constant is given by the Arrhenius equation The directions of elimination and their corresponding partial rates are best explained in terms of purely steric factors.     

Synthesis of distamycin A polyamides targeting G-quadruplex DNA

A number of amide-linked oligopyrroles based on distamycin molecules have been synthesized by solid-state methods, and their interactions with a human intramolecular G-quadruplex have been measured by a melting procedure. Several of these molecules show an enhanced ratio of quadruplex vs. duplex DNA binding compared to distamycin itself, including one with a 2,5-disubstituted pyrrole group. Quadruplex affinity increases with the number of pyrrole groups, and it is suggested that this is consistent with a mixed groove/G-quartet stacking binding mode.     

Special jordan H*-triple systems

This work, jointly with [9], completes the structure theory and classification of the Jordan H ^*- triple systems. The problem of describing the Jordan H ^*-triple systems is reduced in [5] to that of describing the topologically simple ones. Ruling out the finite-dimensional case, we have that any of these H ^*-triples has an underlying triple system structure of quadratic type (and these can be fully described), or it is the H ^*-triple system associated to the odd part of a topologically simple Z₂-graded Jordan H ^*-algebra, whose classification is given in [13].     

Correlation Between Foam Flow Structure in Porous Media and Surfactant Formulation Properties

Transport in Porous Media - The optimization of foam injection in porous media for enhanced oil recovery or soil remediation requires a large screening of surfactant formulations. Tests of foam...     

Cu-catalyzed tandem C-N bond formation for the synthesis of pyrroles and heteroarylpyrroles

A highly efficient Cu-catalyzed tandem C-N bond-forming reaction of 1,4-dihalo-1,3-dienes has been developed. The transformation allows the synthesis of pyrroles and heteroarylpyrroles with a wide variety of functional groups and substitution patterns from readily available precursors.