Polymetallic complexes in microemulsions for the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl phosphate: a bio-mimetic model for decontamination of organophosphates in the environment

Reactions of several metal ions and polymetallic complexes toward hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP) were investigated at 10–3 M concentration in oil-in-water microemulsions and aqueous media. The reactions were monitored by measuring the absorbance of the nitrophenolate ion produced in the reaction aliquots with time. The order of effectiveness of the metal ions and polymetallic complexes at neutral pH toward hydrolysis of NPP was found to be Turnbullʹs Blue>magnetite>Fe(III)>Fe(II)>Co(II)>Ca(II)>Cu(II). The possible application of these systems for sites contaminated with chemical warfare agents such as organophosphates is discussed.