Computational Study of the Dissolution of Some Atomic and Diatomic Species in the Square and Hexagonal 2‐D Helium Lattices

Dissolution of some industrially relevant atomic and diatomic species (Ar, Ne, H, O, H₂, N₂ and O₂) in the 5 × 5 2‐D hexagonal and square helium lattices, as the model of the liquid helium cryogen, has been studied using ab initio MP2/6‐31++G computations. Structural, electronic and thermochemical properties have been calculated and analyzed for these solution lattices. Results of these calculations show that dissolution of Ar, Ne, H and H₂ species is more favored at higher temperatures. A reverse trend is observed for the dissolution of O, N₂ and O₂ species. A staggered orientation is preferred by all diatomic species in both lattices. Results of this study also show that breakage of the O₂ molecule becomes slightly easier in the 2‐D helium lattices as compared with that of the H₂ molecule. Effect of the cavity geometry and size, and position of the solute in the lattice have also been studied. Analysis of the results shows that the range of the interaction between the solute and solvent atoms is only one helium layer.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of an Anionic Diazoolefin

Bent (hetero)allenes such as carbodicarbenes and carbodiphosphoranes can act as neutral C-donor ligands, and diverse applications in coordination chemistry have been reported. N-Heterocyclic diazoolefins are heterocumulenes, which can function in a similar fashion as L-type ligands. Herein, we describe the synthesis and the reactivity of an anionic diazoolefin. This compound displays distinct reactivity compared to neutral diazoolefins, as evidenced by the preparation of diazo compounds via protonation, alkylation, or silylation. The anionic diazoolefin can be employed as an ambidentate, X-type ligand in salt metathesis reactions with metal halide complexes. Extrusion of dinitrogen was observed in a reaction with PCl(NiPr₂)₂, resulting in a stable phosphinocarbene.     

Cloning and Expression of Functional Full-Length Human Tissue Plasminogen Activator in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis>

Human tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) plays a pivotal role in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and deep vein thrombosis. It has the benefit of generating no adverse effects such as fibrinogen depletion, systemic hemorrhage, and immunologic reactions. Human t-PA is a serine-protease enzyme containing 527 amino acid residues in five structural domains. The correct folding of t-PA requires the correct pairing of 17 disulfide bridges in the molecule. A gene encoding full-length human t-PA was cloned into pPICZαA expression vector downstream of alcohol oxidase promoter and α-mating signal sequence from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and flush with the kex2 cleavage site to express the protein with a native N terminus. The methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris GS115 strain, was transformed with this cassette, and methanol utilizing (mut+) transformants were selected for production and secretion of human t-PA into culture media. SDS–PAGE and Western blot analysis showed the expressed bands of t-PA protein. Zymography test indicated suitable folding and proper function of the expressed recombinant human t-PA in conversion of plasminogen to plasmin and gelatin lysis. Amidolytic activity test showed the amidolytic activity of 1,650 IU/ml. The results of this study concluded that P. pastoris methylotrophic yeast can be a suitable alternative for mammalian and prokaryotic expression systems to produce t-PA.     

Head-to-Tail Dimerization of N-Heterocyclic Diazoolefins

The head-to-tail dimerization of N-heterocyclic diazoolefins is described. The products of these formal (3+3) cycloaddition reactions are strongly reducing quinoidal tetrazines. Oxidation of the tetrazines occurs in a stepwise fashion, and we were able to isolate a stable radical cation and diamagnetic dications. The latter are also accessible by oxidative dimerization of diazoolefins.