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.     

Shaping Solid-State Supramolecular Cavities: Chemically Induced Accordionlike Movement of gamma-Zirconium Phosphate Containing Polyethylenoxide Pillars

The hydrophilic oxygen atoms of polyethylenoxide chains inserted as pillars in gamma-zirconium phosphate form hydrogen bonds with the acid groups of the host. As a result the pillars are almost perpendicular to the gamma layers. Upon changing the pH level of the supernatant solution the hydrogen bonds are broken and the pillars become almost perpendicular to the layers (shown schematically). Thus there is a reversible enlargement-shortening of the interlayer space.     

Samarium(II) iodide mediated radical/polar crossover reactions of cyclobutenes. An efficient approach to the BCD ring system of the penitrems

[reaction: see text] Radical/polar crossover reactions of derivatives of 1-(2-cyclobutenyl)-2-(2-iodoaryl)ethanones with acetone promoted by samarium diiodide and HMPA provide 1-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2,2a,4,8b-tetrahydro-1H-cyclobuta[a]naphthalen-3-one derivatives in about 50% isolated yield. This reaction shows promise for construction of the BCD ring fragment of the penitrems.     

Synthesis of benzo-1,3-ditellurole and its precursors

Poly(o-phenyleneditelluride) 6 has been prepared by the reduction of 1,2-bis(trichlorotelluro)benzene obtained by treatment of 1,2-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzene with TeCl₂. The reduction of 6 with NaBH₄ in ethanol solution affords sodium benzene-1,2-ditellurolate, which, upon treatment with methylene bromide, forms benzo-1,3-ditellurole in 40–47% yield. Benzo-1, 3-ditellurole has also been synthesized in 18–20% yeild by the reaction of 1,2-bis(trimethylslyl)benzene with bis(trichlorotelluro)methane, with subsequent reduction of the product, 1,1,3,3-tetrachlorobenzo-1,3-ditellurole.     

Benzo-1,3-ditelluroles

Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 8, pp. 1144–1145, August, 1988.