Abstract: A zinc complex of a tetraaza macrocycle catalyzes the hydrolysis of diphenyl p- nitrophenyl phosphate in aqueous acetonitrile. The principal products derive from loss of p- nitrophenol, but some alternative hydrolysis with loss of phenol is also observed. Kinetic studies show that the catalytic zinc species is a zinc hydroxide complex with a pK, of 8.7 (or its kinetic equivalent). The greater kinetic effectiveness of this weak base than of free ...
