1-(2-Acetoxyethoxy)-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene. A new substrate for enzyme catalysed hydrolysis

Abstract

The preparation of the title compound (3) is described. Hydrolysis of the ester group of (3) is readily detected spectrophotometrically since the 1-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene produced spontaneously cyclises in water at pH > 7 to give a strongly coloured spiro-adduct. The pH–rate profile of the hydrolysis has been determined. The kinetics of the hydrolysis of (3) catalysed by porcine liver esterase have been examined and are compared with those for the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate.