Abstract
A new crowned Schiff base ligand and its cobalt(II) and manganese(III) complexes were synthesised and characterised. These complexes were used to catalyse the hydrolysis of bis(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) in order to mimic the action of hydrolytic metalloenzymes. The kinetics and the mechanism of the titled reactions were investigated. The change of the characteristic ultraviolet spectra of the reaction systems was also analysed. A kinetic mathematical model of BNPP cleavage catalysed by the complexes is proposed. The function of the crown ether ring and the effects of the reaction conditions on the catalytic hydrolysis of BNPP are discussed.
