Bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) phosphate hydrolysis mediated by lanthanide ions

The kinetics of the hydrolysis of bis(2,4‐dinitrophenyl) phosphate (BDNPP) were studied in basic solutions in the presence of La3+, Sm3+, Tb3+ and Er3+. Bis‐Tris propane (BTP) buffer was used to stabilize the Ln3+ hydroxide complexes in solution. Two equivalents of the 2,4‐dinitrophenolate ion (DNP) were liberated for each equivalent of BDNPP and the reaction showed first‐order kinetics. Potentiometric titrations showed the formation of dinuclear complexes such as [Ln2(BTP)2(OH)n](6−n), with values of n varying as a function of pH, for all studied metals. Hence the catalytic effect depends on the formation of dinuclear lanthanide ion complexes with several hydroxo ligands. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Hydrolysis of bis(2,4‐dinitrophenyl) phosphate in the presence of La3+, Sm3+, Tb3+ and Er3+ resulted in the formation of 2,4‐dinitrophenolate and inorganic phosphate. Bis‐Tris propane (BTP) buffer was used to stabilize the Ln3+ hydroxide complexes in solution. The catalytic effect depends on the formation of dinuclear lanthanide ion complexes with several hydroxo ligands.