Contrasting Behaviors in the Cleavage of Aryl Alkanoates by α- and β-Cyclodextrins in Basic Aqueous Solution

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00243a055

The kinetics of ester cleavage of 4-carboxy-2-nitrophenyl alkanoates (C2, C4, C6, C7, C8) in aqueous base containing α- or β-cyclodextrin (α- or β-CD) indicate that for the three longer esters there are processes involving two CD molecules which are quite distinct: with α-CD a 2:1 binding leads to inhibition; with β-CD a second-order process provides catalysis.