Polyglycerol-bound phosphotriesterase enzyme model complexes for detection and hydrolysis of phosphorus species in aqueous solution

Phosphotriesterase models incorporating di(2-picolyl)amino ligands supported by m-xylylene or 2-hydroxy-m-xylylene scaffolds have been tethered to the periphery of a water-soluble hyperbranched polyglycerol (PG). In aqueous solution buffered at pH 7.4, the polymeric complexes of Zn2+ are useful receptors for polymeric indicator displacement assays for phosphate and pyrophosphate employing commercial complexometric indicators. Under the same conditions, the Co3+ effectively hydrolyze p-nitrophenylphosphate with approximately five orders of magnitude rate enhancement versus uncatalyzed hydrolysis. These systems offer promising results as mixed-metal dual detect-decontaminate materials for organophosphorus toxins under mild, neutral aqueous conditions.