Catalysis of benzisoxazole isomerization by molecularly imprinted polymers

A tailor-made catalytically active polymer catalyzing the benzisoxazole iso merization is described. Kinetic studies carried out in water/ethanol (3:1, v/v) at room temperature, showed a rate acceleration (k(MIP)/k(control)) o f 7.2-fold compared to the control polymer. The imprinted polymer exhibits Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a K-m of 0.484 mM and a k(cat) of 0.205 min( -1). Compared with the uncatalyzed reaction, a rate enhancement ((k(cat)/K- m)/k(uncat)) of 4 x 10(4) fold was obtained. Substrate selectivity, accessi ble binding site analysis, dissociation constant determination, and inhibit ion study were also performed.