Numerical analysis of reversible A B C reaction-diffusion systems

We develop an effective numerical method of studying large-time properties of reversible reaction-diffusion systems of type A + B ↔ C with initially separated reactants. Using it we find that there are three types of asymptotic reaction zones. In particular we show that the reaction rate can be locally negative and concentrations of species A and B can be nonmonotonic functions of the space coordinate x, locally significantly exceeding their initial values. Received 6 June 2002 / Received in final form 20 January 2003 Published online 7 May 2003     

Furo- and thieno-fused 1,3-diazepine-4,6-diones

We report the first preparation of furo- and thieno-fused 1,3-diazepine-4,6-dione derivatives starting from ethyl 2-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-3-furancarboxylate and -thiophencarboxylate. The ester functionalities connected to the hetero-ring were converted regiospecifically into the desired amides. The ester groups attached to the methylene unit were converted into isocyanates via Curtius rearrangement. The ring-closure reaction was performed in the presence of lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide at room temperature to give furo- and thieno-fused diazepinone derivatives.     

Aerodynamic levitation and laser heating:

Aerodynamic levitation is an effective way to suspend samples which can be heated with CO₂ lasers. The advantages of this containerless technique are the simplicity and compactness of the device, making it possible to integrate it easily in different kinds of experiments. In addition, all types of materials can be used, including metals and oxides. The integration of aerodynamic levitation at synchrotron and neutron sources provides powerful tools to study the structure and dynamics of molten materials. We present here an overview of the existing techniques and of the developments made at the CEMHTI in Orléans, as well as a few examples of experimental results already obtained.     

Synthesis of 7-substituted tetracycline derivatives

[formula: see text] The synthesis of 7-substituted tetracycline derivatives has been accomplished in high yield from 7-halotetracyclines by modified Suzuki and Stille coupling protocols. These novel derivatives may serve as a new class of tetracycline antibiotics effective against multi-antibiotic-resistant bacteria.     

The synthesis of single enantiomers of trans-alkene-containing mycolic acids

We report routes to single enantiomers of hydroxy and ketomycolic acids containing an α-methyl-trans-alkene unit.     

Observation of a superfluid component within solid helium

We demonstrate by neutron scattering that a localized superfluid component exists at high pressures within solid helium in aerogel. Its existence is deduced from the observation of two sharp phonon-roton spectra which are clearly distinguishable from modes in bulk superfluid helium. These roton excitations exhibit different roton gap parameters than the roton observed in the bulk fluid at freezing pressure. One of the roton modes disappears after annealing the samples. Comparison with theoretical calculations suggests that the model that reproduces the observed data best is that of superfluid double layers within the solid and at the helium-substrate interface.     

Synthesis of Furo[2,3‐d]pyridazin‐4(5H)‐one and Its N(5)‐Substituted Derivatives

We report the efficient preparation of furo[2,3‐d]pyridazin‐4(5H)‐one and its N‐substituted derivatives starting from methyl 2‐methylfuran‐3‐carboxylate. The Me group was converted to the aldehyde group, which was then condensed with hydrazine derivatives. Then, the ester functionalities were hydrolyzed to the corresponding acids, followed by treatment with SOCl₂ to give N‐substituted furopyridazinone derivatives.     

Dynamic singularity in multicomponent glass-forming metallic liquids

In the liquid state, glass-forming Ni59.5Nb40.5 and Ni60Nb34.8Sn5.2 alloys exhibit an extraordinarily high packing fraction. The self-correlation functions measured using quasielastic neutron scattering clearly show the slowing down of microscopic dynamics with an increase in packing fraction. The self-diffusivity in liquid Ni60Nb34.8Sn5.2 decreases by about 2 orders of magnitude within a temperature range of 360 K. For these highly fragile systems, the critical packing fraction obtained form the analysis of incoherent data is in excellent agreement with the prediction made by mode-coupling theory. Our results provide the first experimentally observed value for the critical packing fraction in glass-forming metallic liquids.