Catalytic hydrolysis of phosphate diester with metal complexes of macrocyclic tetraamine in comicellar solution

Four novel pyridine or benzene ring-containing pendant macrocyclic dioxotet raamines 2,6-dioxo-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane ligands have been synthes ized. Their metal complexes have been investigated as catalysts for the hyd rolysis of bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) in aqueous comicellar soluti on. The results indicate that the hydrophobic interaction between substrate and metal complex, the nature of transition metal ion, and the micellar mi croenvironment are important factors for the hydrolysis of BNPP. Large rate enhancement (up to over two-three orders of magnitude) employing 5 has bee n observed.