Cm. Timperley et al., Fluorinated phosphorus compounds Part 4. A lack of anticholinesterase activity for four tris(fluoroalkyl) phosphates, J FLUORINE, 107(1), 2001, pp. 155-158
Whilst examining the chemistry of a series of tris(fluoroalkyl) phosphates
as potential fire retardants. concern was raised over their possible antich
olinesterase activity. Bimolecular rate constants (k(t) values) for the inh
ibition of bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) at 37 degreesC an
d pH 7.4 were therefore sought for four fluoroalkyl phosphates: (CF3CH2O)(3
)P=O, (C2F5CH2O)(3)P=O, (C3F7CH7O)(3)P=O and (CF3CH2O)(2)P(O)OCH2C2F5. Unde
r the experimental conditions used, none of them inhibited AChE; it was onl
y possible to define their ki values as being less than 7-16 M-1 min(-1). T
hey are therefore at least a factor of 10(5) less potent inhibitors than th
e nerve agents sarin or soman, and should be non-toxic via the mechanism of
direct inhibition of AChE. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reser
ved.