Hydrolysis of p‐Nitrophenyl Picolinate Catalyzed by Mono‐ and Binuclear Transition Metal Complexes with Polyether Bridged Dihydroxamic Acid

AbstractTwo polyether bridged dihydroxamic acids and their mono‐ and binuclear manganese(II), zinc(II) complexes have been synthesized and employed as models to mimic hydrolase in catalytic hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl picolinate (PNPP). The reaction kinetics and the mechanism of hydrolysis of PNPP have been investigated. The kinetic mathematical model for PNPP cleaved by the complexes has been proposed. The effects of the different central metal ion, mono‐ and binuclear metal, the pseudo‐macrocyclic polyether constructed by polyethoxy group of the complexes, and reactive temperature on the rate for catalytic hydrolysis of PNPP have been examined. The results showed that the transition metal dihydroxamates exhibited high catalytic activity to the hydrolysis of PNPP, the catalytic activity of binuclear complexes was higher than that of mononuclear ones, and the pseudo‐macrocyclic polyether might synergetically activate H2O coordinated to metal ion with central metal ion together and promote the catalytic hydrolysis of PNPP.