DIFFUSION LIMITATIONS IN ENZYME MIMICING POLYMER MEDIATED REACTIONS

Diffusional effects in reactions involving macromolecular substrates a nd reactants in heterogeneous media lead to unique features. We report investigations on the hydrolysis of 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate copo lymers catalyzed by imidazole and poly (N-vinyl imidazole) selected as an enzyme mimicing polymer. This process has been mathematically mode lled, and the predictions compared with experimental findings. The mod el frame work is general for diffusion-reaction problems of this class . The work has also pragmatic relevance in the design of drug delivery systems, since the reaction takes place in pH ranges of physiological significance.