Catalytic and inhibitory effects of β-cyclodextrin on the hydrolysis of benzoic anhydride

The hydrolysis of benzoic anhydride (Bz2O) in the presence of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was studied in aqueous solution as a function of pH, temperature and ionic strength, at 25°C. The experimental rate constant versus pH profiles show that, in the region of spontaneous water reaction (pH 3.0–6.5), β-CD inhibits the reaction and the isotope effect indicates that the rate determining step of the reaction corresponds to the water-catalyzed nucleophilic attack of water on the carbonyl group of Bz2O. Conversely, whereas inhibition is observed at pH 6.0, catalysis of the hydroxide ion reaction is observed at pH 8.0 and it is found that the activation entropy is responsible for the catalytic phenomena in the basic hydrolysis of benzoic anhydride. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.