RAPID TRANSACYLATIONS OF ACTIVATED ESTER SUBSTRATES BOUND TO THE PRIMARY SIDE BETA-CYCLODEXTRIN CYCLEN CONJUGATE AND ITS M2+ COMPLEXES

The ability of cyclodextrins to effect rapid transacylations of bound substrates has been well studied. One important difference between cyclodextrin and enzyme-mediated transacylation is the pH required. Because the pK(a) of a cyclodextrin secondary-side hydroxyl group is about 12, transacylations are accelerated in the presence of cyclodextrin under basic conditions (pH > 10.5). In 1988, our group reported the synthesis of cyclodextrin with attached cyclen-Co(III) complexes; significant acceleration in the reaction with p-nitrophenyl acetate was observed only with the primary side derivative. Of course, metalloenzymes utilize M2+ and not M3+ catalytic centers; in addition, large rate accelerations in the transacylations of both activated and unactivated substrates have been observed previously in systems utilizing M2+ ions (e.g., Zn, Cu, Ni) as well as M3+ ions (e.g. Co, Ir, Cr). In this paper, we describe the ability of beta-CD-cyclen.M2+ conjugates to transacylate activated esters, amides, and phosphates. In addition, the ability of the apoenzyme mimic to effect transacylations was examined.