Isolating fluorinated carbocations

Using carboranes as counterions, fluorinated benzyl-type carbocations such as (p-FC(6)H(4))(2)CF(+), (p-FC(6)H(4))(CH(3))CF(+) and fluorinated trityl ions are readily isolated for X-ray and IR structural characterization

The rapid formation of functional monolayers on silicon under mild conditions

We report on an exceedingly mild chemical functionalization of hydrogen-terminated Si(100) with unactivated and unprotected bifunctional α,ω-dialkynes. Monolayer formation occurs rapidly in the dark, and at room temperature, from dilute solutions of an aromatic-conjugated acetylene. The method addresses the poor reactivity of p-type substrates under mild conditions. We suggest the importance of several factors, including an optimal orientation for electron transfer between the adsorbate and the Si surface, conjugation of the acetylenic function with a π-system, as well as the choice of a solvent system that favors electron transfer and screens Coulombic interactions between surface holes and electrons. The passivated Si(100) electrode is amenable to further functionalization and shown to be a viable model system for redox studies at non-oxide semiconductor electrodes in aqueous solutions

Pro-Am observations of mutual events between the Galilean satellites during the PHEMU09 campaign from Greece

International audienceThe subject of this presentation is a pro-am collaboration to record a number of mutual events between the Galilean satellites of Jupiter from Greece during the PHEMU09 campaign [1]. It involved four amateur and two professional astronomers observing with both portable and fixed-site instruments equipped with CCD cameras at prime focus. The observations took place between May and August 2009. Observations of 21 events were attempted, resulting in usable lightcurves for 15. This contribution will summarise the scientific rationale for the observations, describe the observations themselves, identify lessons learned and outline plans for the next campaign in 2014-15

Pro-Am observations of mutual events between the Galilean satellites during the PHEMU09 campaign from Greece

International audienceThe subject of this presentation is a pro-am collaboration to record a number of mutual events between the Galilean satellites of Jupiter from Greece during the PHEMU09 campaign [1]. It involved four amateur and two professional astronomers observing with both portable and fixed-site instruments equipped with CCD cameras at prime focus. The observations took place between May and August 2009. Observations of 21 events were attempted, resulting in usable lightcurves for 15. This contribution will summarise the scientific rationale for the observations, describe the observations themselves, identify lessons learned and outline plans for the next campaign in 2014-15

Isolating fluorinated carbocations.

Using carboranes as counterions, fluorinated benzyl-type carbocations such as (p-FC(6)H(4))(2)CF(+), (p-FC(6)H(4))(CH(3))CF(+) and fluorinated trityl ions are readily isolated for X-ray and IR structural characterization