Formation of lead pyrophosphate glass and the role of anion disproportionation

Thermal, spectroscopic and electrical properties of lead pyrophosphate glass prepared by melt quenching have been examined. A model based on the structural disproportionation of the P2O 7 4− ions has been proposed and is shown to consistently explain all the observations. The equilibrium of various anionic species has been discussed on the basis of their electronegativities which are in turn related to their basicities.

Modes of binding of guanosine monophosphates to ribonuclease T1 - A computer modelling study

Computer-modelling studies on the modes of binding of the three guanosine monophosphate inhibitors 2'-GMP, 3'-GMP, and 5'-GMP to ribonuclease (RNase) T1 have been carried out by energy minimization in Cartesian-coordinate space. The inhibitory power was found to decrease in the order 2'-GMP > 3'-GMP > 5'-GMP in agreement with the experimental observations. The ribose moiety was found to form hydrogen bonds with the protein in all the enzyme-inhibitor complexes, indicating that it contributes to the binding energy and does not merely act as a spacer between the base and the phosphate moieties as suggested earlier. 2'-GMP and 5'-GMP bind to RNase T1 in either of the two ribose puckered forms (with C3'-endo more favoured over the C2'-endo) and 3'-GMP binds to RNase T1 predominantly in C3'-endo form. The catalytically important residue His-92 was found to form hydrogen bond with the phosphate moiety in all the enzyme-inhibitor complexes, indicating that this residue may serve as a general acid group during catalysis. Such an interaction was not found in either X-ray or two-dimensional NMR studies.

Novel coordination behaviour of gem-bis (pyrazolyl) cyclotriphosphazenes as tridentate NNN-donor ligands: The crystal structure of [Mo(CO)3{N3P3Ph4(3,5-Me2C3HN2)2}]

Reactions of group 6 metal carbonyls with bis(pyrazolyl) phosphazenes yield metal tricarbonyl complexes, [M(CO)3.L] [L = N3P3Ph4 (3, 5-Me2C3HN2)2 (1) or N3P3(MeNCH2CH2O)2 (3,5-Me2C3HN2)2(4)]. The structure of the complex [Mo(CO)3.1], determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis, shows that the (pyrazolyl) phosphazene acts as a tridentate ligand; the two pyridinic pyrazolyl nitrogen atoms and a phosphazene ring nitrogen atom are coordinated to the metal. A similar structure is proposed for the complexes [M(CO)3.4] (M = Mo or W] on the basis of their spectroscopic data.

Photometric calibration of the CCD camera of 1-m telescope at VBO

Calibration of the CCD camera of the 1-m telescope at the Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalur, to the BVR system is reported here based on the observations of stars in the 'dipper asterism' in the open cluster M 67 (NGC 2682). Transformations involving B and V have negligible colour terms, while those involving R are slightly colour dependent. The possibility of using scale-down R band fluxes to estimate the continuum flux at H-alpha is investigated by comparing the counts in R band with those through an interference filter centred at H-alpha. The scaling factor is found to remain constant over a wide range of colours. The sensitivity of the telescope-filter-CCD combination is estimated to be 2.0 per cent, 8.3 per cent and 9.7 per cent in B, V and R bands, respectively. The star F117 appears to be a small-amplitude (approximately 0.05 mag) variable.

Physicochemical behaviour of polyperoxide

Polymeric peroxides are equimolar alternating copolymers formed by the reaction of vinyl monomers with oxygen. Physicochemical studies on the microstructure and chain dynamics of poly(styrene peroxide) PSP were first carried out by Cais and Bovey. We have found that polyperoxides are formed as main intermediates in solid-propellant combustion by the interaction of the monomer and oxygen generated by the decomposition of the polymeric binder and the oxidizer ammonium perchlorate. The experimentally determined heat of degradation and that calculated from thermochemical considerations reveal that polyperoxides undergo highly exothermic primary degradation, the rate-controlling step being the O-O bond dissociation. A random-chain scission mechanism for the thermal degradation of polyperoxides has been proposed. The prediction of unusual exothermic degradation of polyperoxides has resulted in the discovery of an interesting new phenomenon of 'autopyrolysability' in polymers. Several new polyperoxides based on vinyl naphthalene have been synthesized. We have also found that PSP, in conjunction with amines, can be used as initiator at ambient temperature for the radical polymerization of vinyl monomers.

Spectroscopic properties of molecules related to hindered isomers of retinal

Proton and12C NMR study of molecules related to retinal has been carried out. The characteristic differences in spectral behaviour among 7-trans and 7-cis isomers have been established which would be useful in determining the structure of new isomers and identifying components in a mixture. Through coupling constant measurements and DNMR study it is clearly established that 7-cis isomers of β-ionyl derivatives and in turn 7-cis isomers of retinyl derivatives prefer a non-planar arrangement and this non-planarity brings about resonance destabilisation.

Relaxation dominated by inertia: Solvation dynamics of a small ion in a dipolar solvent

It is shown from an analytical theory that the solvation dynamics of a small ion can be controlled largely by the inertial response of the dipolar solvent when the liquid is in the underdamped limit. It is also shown that this inertial response arises primarily from the long wavelength (with wavevector k≃0) processes which have a collective excitation-like behaviour. The long time decay is dominated by the processes occurring at molecular lengthscales. The theoretical results are in good agreement with recent computer simulation results.

A review of hybrid rockets: present status and future potential

This paper discusses the potential of the hybrid rocket engine as a viable and attractive mode of propulsion for both space vehicles and missiles. Research and development work on this engine in other countries is presented and evaluated. The various advantages of a hybrid engine over solid and liquid engines and its problems are highlighted. It has been argued that because of the low technology needed in the development of the hybrid system, it constitutes a cost-and-time-effective propulsion system for several applications in space programmes as well as weapon systems. In support of this conclusion, experience on the developmental studies of a variable thrust 100 kg engine is presented. Some future possibilities for hybrid propulsion systems are cited.

Scaling theory of quantum resistance distributions in disordered systems

We have derived explicitly, the large scale distribution of quantum Ohmic resistance of a disordered one-dimensional conductor. We show that in the thermodynamic limit this distribution is characterized by two independent parameters for strong disorder, leading to a two-parameter scaling theory of localization. Only in the limit of weak disorder we recover single parameter scaling, consistent with existing theoretical treatments.

Steric and rotational constraints in the X-ray structure of the animalarial drug amodiaquine

In the crystal structure of the antimalarial drug amodiaquine, the bonds linking the quinoline and the phenyl groups show partial double-bond character. The partial double-bond character of the two exocyclic bonds, together with stereochemical constraints, reduce flexibility of the two ring systems of the molecule. The dihedral angle between the two ring planes is lowest compared to those in the antileukaemic drug amsacrine and its derivatives. CPK-modelling studies suggest the way amodiaquine can bind to DNA. Stacking interaction between the quinoline and phenyl groups of independent molecules and the hydrogen-bond network stabilize the crystal structure.

Crystal and molecular structure of putrescine DL- glutamic acid complex

The polyamines spermine, spermidine, putrescine, cadaverine, etc. have been implicated in a variety of cellular functions. However, details of their mode of interaction with other ubiquitous biomolecules is not known. We have solved a few structures of polyamine-amino acid complexes to understand the nature and mode of their interactions. Here we report the structure of a complex of putrescine with DL-glutamic acid. Comparison of the structure with the structure of putrescine-L-glutamic acid complex reveals the high degree of similarity in the mode of interaction in the two complexes. Despite the presence of a centre of symmetry in the present case, the arrangement of molecules is strikingly similar to the L-glutamic acid complex.