Catalytic cyclophanes VII. Esterase activity of a bisimidazolyl-cyclophane

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/recl.19931120605

We report the synthesis of the novel tetraoxa<6.1.6.1>paracyclophane 3 with two imidazole residues attached to the benzene rings of one of the two diphenylmethane spacers that shape the macrocyclic cavity.Four acetic acid residues diverge from the central carbon atoms of the two spacer units and ensure solubility of 3 in water and binary aqueous solvent mixtures.Cyclophane 3 forms stoichiometric inclusion complexes with nitronaphthyl acetates in aqueous phosphate buffers (pH8) and catalyzes the hydrolysis of bound substrates under turnover conditions.