Cu(II)-catalyzed hydrolysis of tris-2-pyridyl phosphate assisted by sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles

Abstract

Hydrolysis of the phosphate triester tris-2-pyridyl phosphate is catalyzed upon complexation with Cu2+, with enhancements of the order of 107-fold in comparison to the spontaneous hydrolysis of the substrate. Experimental and theoretical results suggest that Cu2+ most probably coordinates to the nitrogen atoms of two of the pyridyl substituents disposing a metallo-bound water or hydroxo ligand at appropriate distance for intramolecular attack on phosphorus. Micelles of the anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate remarkably accelerate the reactions, acting as nanoreactors that concentrate in the micellar microenvironment both the hydrophobic substrate and the positively charged metal ion, favoring complexation between tris-2-pyridyl phosphate and Cu2+.