Synthesis and kinetic studies of a low-molecular weight organocatalyst for phosphate hydrolysis in water.

Kinetic studies of a low-molecular weight organocatalyst 1 are presented. Compound 1 contains two histidines and one cationic side chain attached to a central aromatic core. In aqueous solution 1 accelerates the hydrolysis of a prototypal phosphodiester with rate enhancements of up to two orders of magnitude. A detailed HPLC analysis of hydrolysis experiments in Bis-Tris-buffer showed that the buffer itself can act as a nucleophile at least with the cyclic phosphate 16. Compound 1 is also an efficient host for the binding of bis-(para-nitrophenyl)-phosphate 14 with extraordinary high affinity of K(ass) = 24,400 M(-1) in buffered water.