Cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments on LL(AuSR*)= complexes [LL diphenylphosphinomethane (dppm), diphenylphosphinopentane (dpppn); R* = p-SCH4CH] show anodic sweeps that broaden by about 25 mV on going from the longer (dpppn) to the shorter (dppm) bidentate phosphine ligand. Changing concentrations had no effect on the shape of the waveform. The result suggests a weak intramolecular metal-metal interaction in dppm(AuSR*)= that correlates well with rate acceleration occurring in the reaction of dppm(AuSR*)=with organic disulfides. Quantum yields for cis-dppee(AuX)= [dppee 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene; X CI, Br, I] complexes, d>(dlsappearance), are significantly higher in complexes with a softer X ligand, a trend that correlates well with aurophilicity. This result also suggests that electronic perturbation caused by Au(I)-Au(I) interactions is important in explaining the reactivity of some dinuclear gold(I) complexes. The crystal structure for cis-dppee(Aul)= shows short intramolecular Au(I)-Au(I) interactions of 2.9526 (6) Jk, while the structure of trans-dppee(Aul)=, shows intermolecular Au(I)-Au(I) interactions of 3.2292 (9) . .T he substitution of As for P results in a ligand, cisdiphenylarsinoethylene (cis-dpaee), that is photochemically active, in contrast to the cis-dppee ligand. The complexes, cis-dpaee(AuX)=, are also photochemically active but with lower quantum yields than the cis-dppee(AuX)= complexes.

Dense titanium diboride (TiB2) ceramics were fabricated by near-net processing based on containerless hot isostatic pressing. Resultant materials displayed good mechanical strength and high fracture toughness.

Monolithic Ni 3Al and composite Ni3Al/ceramic whisker bodies were fabricated by combined Self Propagating High Temperature Synthesis and in situ containerless Hot Isostatic Pressing (SHS/HIP), starting from cold pressed blends of nickel, aluminum, and boron powders, with and without additions of alumina whiskers. The resultant bodies were dense and had good ductility and mechanical strength at room temperature.