Formation of Polymeric Lewis Acid–Lewis Base Complexes with Well-defined Organoboron Polymers

The binding of Lewis bases to organoboron polymeric Lewis acids has been studied and the parameters that determine the complexation equilibrium have been investigated, which include (i) the strength of the individual Lewis acids and Lewis bases, (ii) concentration, and (iii) temperature. While the strongly Lewis acidic borane polymers poly(4-bis(pentafluorophenyl)borylstyrene) (PS-BPf) and poly(4-(di-2-thienylboryl)styrene) (PS-BTh) form isolable complexes with strong Lewis bases such as 4-t-butylpyridine (^tPy), a temperature dependent equilibrium is established with weaker bases such as THF. Similarly, the weakly Lewis acidic boronate polymer poly(4-diethoxyborylstyrene) (PS-BOEt) undergoes a temperature dependent equilibrium with the strong Lewis base 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), while poly(4-pinacolatoborylstyrene) (PS-BPin) does not significantly bind to pyridine bases. Decomplexation of PS-BTh· ^t Py is achieved by treatment with the stronger Lewis acid, B(C₆F₅)₃, thereby confirming the reversible nature of the polymeric Lewis acid–base adducts. This paper is dedicated to Professor Ian Manners in gratitude of his guidance throughout the years and recognition of his scientific accomplishments     

Lightweight high-alumina kyanite -sillimanite refractories from self-compacting compositions

Conclusions A technology was developed and tested for the production of kyanite-sillimanite lightweight refractories from self-compacting compositions based on pearl polystyrene. With this method the drying time of the green product is 3–4 times shorter and the finished product does not require trimming. The apparent density of the new material is 0.6 g/cm³, and its properties conform to the specifications for the lightweight VGLDS-0.8-type products.The method is a promising one for the manufacture of configured and block-type refractory products.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 1, pp. 10–13, January, 1977.     

Electrodeposited CdSe0.5Te0.5: Photoelectrochemical solar cells

CdSe_0.5Te_0.5 thin films have been prepared by electrodeposition. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence microanalysis, scanning electron microscopy, optical absorption techniques, Auger electron analysis and electron probe microanalysis. Photoelectrochemical cell performance after electrode annealing and photoetching treatments is reported.     

Sterol metabolism in the opportunistic pathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pneumocystis</Emphasis>: Advances and new insights

Pneumocystis can transiently colonize healthy individuals without causing adverse symptoms, and most people test positive for exposure to this organism early in life. However, it can cause Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) in people with impaired immune systems and is a major cause of death in HIV/AIDS. Although it has close affinities to the Ascomycetes, Pneumocystis has features unlike those of any single group of fungi. For example, Pneumocystis does not synthesize ergosterol, which is consistent with the inefficacy of amphotericin B and some triazoles in clearing PcP. Pneumocystis sterols include distinct Δ⁷ 24-alkylsterols. Metabolic radiolabeling experiments demonstrated that P. carinii synthesizes sterols de novo. Cholesterol is the most abundant sterol in Pneumocystis; most, if not all, is scavenged from the mammalian host lung by the pathogen. The P. carinii erg7, erg6, and erg11 genes have been cloned, sequenced, and expressed in heterologous systems. The recombinant P. carinii S-adenosyl-l-methionine:C-24 sterol methyl transferase (SAM:SMT) has a preference for lanosterol over zymosterol as substrate, and the enzyme can catalyze the transfer of either one or two methyl groups to the C-24 position of the sterol side chain. Two different sterol compositions were detected among human-derived P. jirovecii; one was dominated by C₂₈ and C₂₉ sterols, and the other had high proportions of higher molecular mass components, notably the C₃₂ sterol pneumocysterol. The latter phenotype apparently represents organisms blocked at 14α-demethylation of the sterol nucleus. These studies suggest that SAM:SMT is an attractive drug target for developing new chemotherapy for PcP.     

Efficiency of transport-dump systems when working fireclay deposits

Conclusions The article recommends the method of determining the basic parameters of the transport-dump systems for working fireclays; the maximum height of the overburden shelf needed, the required length of working front and the useful volume of mining the clays.With all-year-round working in the mines the use of the excavator ERG-35/1000 in combination with the swing chute OSh-105/1500 is desirable with a height of overburden work of up to 13 m; above 13 m it is more economical to use the excavator ERG-350/1000 in combination with the bridge OMSh-65/1200.     

Studies of microhardness and mar resistance using a scanning probe microscope

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) is in a period of rapid development. It shows great promise for characterizing coating surfaces. This paper describes modification of an SPM so that it can be used to mar the surfaces of coatings under controlled conditions and to characterize the mars. Mar resistance of coatings is analyzed in terms of a ‘three response, two mechanism model.' The three responses (fracture, elastic, and plastic) can be measured quantitatively using the SPM. Of the three responses, only two (fracture and plastic deformation) are marring mechanisms – elastic deformations recover instantaneously. In some cases mars resulting from plastic deformation may recover slowly with time or with immersion in water; this phenomenon is attributed to viscoelastic creep. Microhardness is also measured with the modified SPM. Some thermoset coatings appear to be substantially harder near their surfaces than in the mass of material, and such materials may respond quite differently to stress applied at different levels near the surface. This finding has important implications for all coating properties that are strongly influenced by the surface. A quantity called ‘micro mar resistance' is defined. It may be useful for comparing different coatings under specified conditions of marring. However, there can be no single quantity that expresses ‘mar resistance' of a coating under all conditions.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(1,8-diethynylnaphthalene)

Summary The cyclopolymerization of 1,8-diethynylnaphthalene(DEN) and its copolymerization with diethyl dipropargylmalonate(DEDPM) were carried out by various transition metal catalysts. MoCl₅-based catalyst was found to be very effective and gave almost a quantitative polymer yield. The resulting dark-brown homopolymer(PDEN) was partially soluble in chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, and dimethyl sulfoxide, whereas copolymer (1:1) with number avaerage molecular weight of 2.1x10⁴ by GPC showed good solubility in those solvents. The structure of the polymers was analysed by IR, NMR, and UV-VIS spectroscopies. From the spectral and solubility data, it is proposed that cyclized products with the conjugated system are formed. Room temperature conductivities of the I₂-doped homo and copolymer were found to be about 7.5x10^-3 and 5.1x10^-3 S/cm, respectively.