The case of missing incommensurate smectic A phases

Two binary mixtures of polar liquid crystal materials were previously reported to exhibit three incommensurate smectic A phases predicted for such materials on the basis of phenomenological theory. Results of our recent high-resolution X-ray scattering experiments show that no incommensurate phases exist in the two systems. Wide coexistence regions are found at first order transitions between various frustrated smectic phases of these mixtures. These regions were previously identified as the incommensurate smectic A phases. The phase diagrams of the two systems determined with high-resolution X-ray technique are shown to be in excellent agreement with Baroisa-Prost-Lubensky theory.     

Activity evaluation of carbon paste electrodes loaded with pt nanoparticles prepared in different radiolytic conditions

Three Pt-based catalysts prepared in different radiolytic conditions and supported on graphite powder were packed into a carbon paste electrode configuration. They were compared to each other, to the commercial (Pt) deposited on activated carbon powder (Johnson Matthey) and to pure Vulcan XC-72 for their respective abilities toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The Tafel parameters were determined for all these electrodes. From the I–V curves and their quantitative treatment, the following order of activity emerged unambiguously and reads: (PtCO)₂ (fcc structure) > (PtCO)₁ (Chini cluster) > (Pt)_neat > (Pt)_JM (Johnson Matthey) ≫ (Vulcan XC-72). As expected, all the Pt-loaded electrodes were more efficient than Vulcan XC-72. The classification appears to be linked with the mean nanoparticle size, and for comparable sizes, with the surface morphology of the materials. The results and the stability of the electrodes suggest that the small particle sizes and the good dispersity on the carbon support were maintained during the HER.     

Synergistic extraction of hexavalent actinides by HTTA and neutral donors-II

Synergistic extraction studies on Np(VI) and Pu(VI) have been carried out as a part of the programme on the synergistic extraction of hexavalent actinides. Extraction of Np(VI) and Pu(VI) were carried out by mixtures of HTTA and TBP in benzene from aqueous perchlorate and nitrate media. Equilibrium constant values for the various reaction equilibria involved were calculated from the data obtained by using slope-ratio as well as Job’s method. The extraction of Np(VI) by the synergistic mixture from 1M nitric acid indicated that the species NpO₂ (TTA) (NO₃). TBP was not involved in the extraction. The log values of K_A, K_AB and β_AB were −1.5, 2.92 and 4.43, respectively for Np(VI) and −1.63, 2.50 and 4.13 respectively for Pu(VI).     

Synthesis and characterisation of bis(pentafluorophenyl)antimony(V) cations, [(C6F5)2SbL3]

Pentacoordinate complex cations of the general formula [(C₆F₅)₂SbL₃]³⁺ stabilized as solid salts in combination with tetraphenylborate (BPh₄), tetrafluorobroate (BF₄) anions, where L=DMSO, Ph₃AsO, PyO, DMF, α-, β- and γ-picoline have been isolated. The newly formed complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance measurements, solid-state IR and and NMR. From these results, a five-fold coordination around antimony was required.     

Potential cerebral perfusion agents. Synthesis and evaluation of berberine analogues

The synthesis and tissue distribution studies in rats of tetra[³H]-hydroberberine ([³H] 2 ) and 8-(p-[¹²⁵I]iodobenzyl)tetrahydroberberine ([¹²⁵I] 6 ) are described. Compound 2 was synthesized by sodium borohydride reduction of berberine hydrochloride ( 1 ). Treatment of berberine hydrochloride with p-bromo-benzylmagnesium bromide gave 8-(p-bromobenzyl)dihydroberberine ( 4 ) which after sodium borohydride reduction and iodine-125 bromine exchange gave [¹²⁵I] 6 . The unsubstituted tetrahydro compound [³H] 2 showed significantly higher brain uptake (2.2% dose/gm after 5 minutes) as compared to the corresponding 8-substituted derivative [¹²⁵I] 6 . Both radiolabeled compounds washed out from the brain relatively quickly.     

Liesegang rings — Part I

Summary The conditions for the formation of revert type ofLiesegang rings have been studied here. Various systems of rhythmic precipitations of silver chromate are produced in a mixtures of agar and gelatin gels under different environmental conditions. Ring systems of silver, copper and other ferricyanides have also been studied in gelatin gel. The observations show that the cause of the revert systems ofLiesegang rings is the high peptizability of the precipitating matter in the media containing gel and the unreacted ions.

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Zusammenfassung Die Bedingungen der Bildung des „umgekehrten“ Types vonLiesegang-Ringen wurden untersucht. Verschiedene Systeme rhythmischer F?llung von Silberchromat wurden in einer Mischung von Agar und Gelatinegelen unter verschiedenen Umgebungsbedingungen erzeugt. Ringsysteme von Kupfer, Silber und anderen Ferricyaniden in Gelatine wurden untersucht. Die Beobachtungen zeigen, da? die Ursache für die „umgekehrten“Liesegang-Ringe in der hohen Peptisierbarkeit der Füllsubstanz im gelhaltigen Medium und den noch nicht reagierten Ionen liegt.