Synergistic effect of Ni(II) and Co(II) ions on the sulfite induced autoxidation of Cu(II)/tetraglycine complex

The synergistic effect of Ni(II) and Co(II) on the sulfite induced autoxidation of Cu(II)/tetraglycine was investigated spectrophotometrically at 25.0 degrees C, pH = 9.0, 1 x 10(-5) mol dm(-3) < or = [S(IV)] < or = 8 x 10(-5) mol dm(-3), [Cu(II)]= 1 x 10(-3) mol dm(-3), 1 x 10(-6) mol dm(-3) < or = [Ni(II)] or [Co(II)] < or = 1 x 10(-4) mol dm(-3), [O2] approximately 2.5 x 10(-4) mol dm(-3), and 0.1 mol dm(-3) ionic strength. In the absence of added nickel(II) or cobalt(II), the kinetic traces of Cu(III)G4 formation show a large induction period (about 3 h). The addition of trace amounts of Ni(II) or Co(II) increases the reaction rate significantly and the induction period drastically decreases (less than 0.5 s). The effectiveness of Cu(III)G4 formation becomes much higher. The metal ion in the trivalent oxidation state rapidly oxidizes SO3(2-) to SO3*-, which reacts with oxygen to produce SO5*-. The strongly generated oxidants oxidize Cu(II)G4 to Cu(III).     

Influence of Cu(II) on the interaction of sulfite with DNA

The quantitative influence of Cu(II) on the interaction of eukaryotic DNA with sulfite (SO(3)(2-)), which is a derivative of sulfur dioxide in the human body, was studied using ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectrometry. The results showed that under physiological pH conditions, SO(3)(2-) reacted weakly with DNA at concentrations of up to 10(-1)M, at which point a rapid increase in the reaction constant and the reaction number of SO(3)(2-) with DNA was observed. The addition of Cu(II) at concentrations ranging from 6.67 x 10(-4) to 3.33 x 10(-3)M to DNA-SO(3)(2-) binary systems increased the reaction constant of SO(3)(2-) with DNA 41- to 115-fold at a low concentration of SO(3)(2-) (10(-3)M), and 4- to 84-fold at an intermediate concentration of SO(3)(2-) (10(-2)M), but had little influence on the reaction number of SO(3)(2-) with DNA compared with the absence of Cu(II). When the concentration of SO(3)(2-) reached 10(-1)M, the presence of Cu(II) reduced the reaction number but had no effect on the reaction constant of SO(3)(2-) with DNA. These results show that the efficiency of SO(3)(2-) is increased in the presence of Cu(II) at high concentrations of SO(3)(2-).     

Differences of Eu(III) and Cm(III) chemistry in ionic liquids: investigations by TRLFS

In this study the coordination structure and chemistry of Eu(III) and Cm(III) in the ionic liquid C(4)mimTf(2)N (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) was investigated by time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The dissolution of 1 x 10(-2) M Eu(CF(3)SO(3))(3) and 1 x 10(-7) M Cm(ClO(4))(3) in C(4)mimTf(2)N leads to the formation of two species for each cation with fluorescence emission lifetimes of 2.5 +/- 0.2 ms and 1.0 +/- 0.3 ms for the Eu-species and 1.0 +/- 0.3 ms and 300.0 +/- 50 micros for the Cm-species. The interpretation of the TRLFS data indicates a comparable coordination for both the lanthanide and actinide cation in this ionic liquid. The quenching influence of Cu(II) on the fluorescence emission of Eu(III) and Cm(III) was also measured by TRLFS. While Cu(ii) does not quench the Cm(III) fluorescence emission in C(4)mimTf(2)N the Eu(III) fluorescence emission lifetime for both Eu-species in C(4)mimTf(2)N decreases with increasing Cu(II) concentration. Stern-Volmer constants were calculated (k(SV) = 1.54 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) and k(SV) = 2.70 x 10(6) M(-1)). By contrast, the interaction of Cu(II) with Eu(III) and Cm(III) in water leads to a quenching of both the lanthanide and actinide fluorescence. The calculated Stern-Volmer constants are 1.20 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) for Eu(III) and 1.27 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) for Cm(III). The investigations show, while the chemistry of trivalent lanthanides and actinides is similar in an aqueous system it is dramatically different in ionic liquids. This difference in chemical behavior may provide the opportunity for a separation of lanthanides and actinides with regard to the reprocessing of nuclear fuel.     

Rapid quantitative determination of hydrogen peroxide by oxidation decolorization of methyl orange using a Fenton reaction system

In this study, a sensitive and rapid method for hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) determination has been developed with the aid of oxidation decolorization of methyl orange (MO) by using Fenton reactions, because the decolorization extent of MO solution (at the maximum absorption wavelength of 507 nm) is proportion to the concentration of H(2)O(2). Under optimum conditions, this spectrophotometric method for the H(2)O(2) analysis yields a dynamic range of H(2)O(2) concentration from 5.0 x 10(-7) to 1.0 x 10(-4) mol L(-1) (r=0.997) and a detection limit (3 sigma/k) of 2.0 x 10(-7) mol L(-1). This method for the determination of H(2)O(2) (0.04 mmol L(-1)) is able to tolerate the interference from NaCl (0-5.0 mmol L(-1)), Na(2)SO(4) (0-5.0 mmol L(-1)), MgCl(2) (0-5.0 mmol L(-1)), sodium humate (0-0.1 mmol L(-1)), benzene (0-0.2 mmol L(-1)), toluene (0-0.2 mmol L(-1)), chlorobenzene (0-0.2 mmol L(-1)) and chloroform (0-0.2 mmol L(-1)). The analysis results for practical rainwater samples are in good agreement with the classical N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPD) method for H(2)O(2) determination.     

A fluorescent probe for zinc ions based on N-methyltetraphenylporphine with high selectivity

N-methyl-alpha,beta,gamma,delta-tetraphenylporphine (NMTPPH) has been used to detect trace amount of zinc ions in ethanol-water solution by fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescent probe undergoes a fluorescent emission intensity enhancement upon binding to zinc ions in EtOH/H(2)O (1:1, v/v) solution. The fluorescence enhancement of NMTPPH is attributed to the 1:1 complex formation between NMTPPH and Zn(II) which has been utilized as the basis for the selective detection of Zn(II). The linear response range covers a concentration range of Zn(II) from 5.0x10(-7) to 1.0x10(-5)mol/L and the detection limit is 1.5x10(-7)mol/L. The fluorescent probe exhibits high selectivity over other common metal ions except for Cu(II).     

Stoichiometries and thermodynamic stabilities for aqueous sulfate complexes of U(VI)

The formation constants of UO2SO4 (aq), UO2(SO4)2(2-), and UO2(SO4)3(4-) were measured in aqueous solutions from 10 to 75 degrees C by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). A constant enthalpy of reaction approach was satisfactorily used to fit the thermodynamic parameters of stepwise complex formation reactions in a 0.1 M Na(+) ionic medium: log 10 K 1(25 degrees C) = 2.45 +/- 0.05, Delta r H1 = 29.1 +/- 4.0 kJ x mol(-1), log10 K2(25 degrees C) = 1.03 +/- 0.04, and Delta r H2 = 16.6 +/- 4.5 kJ x mol(-1). While the enthalpy of the UO2(SO4)2(2-) formation reaction is in good agreement with calorimetric data, that for UO2SO4 (aq) is higher than other values by a few kilojoules per mole. Incomplete knowledge of the speciation may have led to an underestimation of Delta r H1 in previous calorimetric studies. In fact, one of the published calorimetric determinations of Delta r H1 is here supported by the TRLFS results only when reinterpreted with a more correct equilibrium constant value, which shifts the fitted Delta r H1 value up by 9 kJ x mol(-1). UO2(SO 4) 3 (4-) was evidenced in a 3 M Na (+) ionic medium: log10 K3(25 degrees C) = 0.76 +/- 0.20 and Delta r H3 = 11 +/- 8 kJ x mol(-1) were obtained. The fluorescence features of the sulfate complexes were observed to depend on the ionic conditions. Changes in the coordination mode (mono- and bidentate) of the sulfate ligands may explain these observations, in line with recent structural data.     

Chemiluminescence determination of sulfite in sugar and sulfur dioxide in air using Tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)-permanganate system

A chemiluminescence (CL) detection for the determination of sulfite using the reaction of Ru(bipy)(3)(2+) (bipy=2,2'-bipyridyl) -SO(3)(2-)-KMnO(4) is described. The concentration of sulfite is proportional to the CL intensity from 5.0x10(-8) to 1.25x10(-4) mol l(-1). The limit of detection is 2.5x10(-8) mol l(-1) and the relative standard deviation is 4.9% for the 2x10(-5) mol l(-1) sulfite solution in six repeated measurements. This method has been successfully applied to the determination of sulfite in sugar and sulfur dioxide in air by using triethanolamine (TEA) as the absorbent material.     

Aqueous synthesis of type-II core/shell CdTe/CdSe quantum dots for near-infrared fluorescent sensing of copper(II)

Type-II core/shell CdTe/CdSe quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized in aqueous medium by employing thiol-capped CdTe QDs as core template and CdCl(2) and Na(2)SeSO(3) as shell precursors, respectively. Compared with the original CdTe cores, the core/shell CdTe/CdSe QDs showed an obvious red-shifted emission with the color-tune capability to the near-infrared (NIR) wavelength, because of the formation of an indirect excitation. The prepared QDs exhibited high stability and moderate fluorescence quantum yields (10-20%), and their core/shell heterostructure was characterized by UV-vis absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectra, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The fluorescence of the core/shell QDs could be markedly quenched by Cu(II), and approximate concentrations of other physiologically important cations, such as Zn(II), Ca(II), Na(I) and K(I) etc., had no effect on the fluorescence. Based on this, a simple and rapid method for Cu(II) determination was proposed using the NIR CdTe/CdSe QDs as fluorescent probes. Under optimal conditions, the response was linearly proportional to the concentration of Cu(II) between 0.05 to 50.0 x 10(-6) mol L(-1), the limit of detection was 2.0 x 10(-8) mol L(-1). The developed method was successfully applied to the detection of trace Cu(II) in real samples.     

Heterogeneous reactions of sulfur dioxide on typical mineral particles

The heterogeneous reaction of SO2 on Al2O3, CaO, TiO2, MgO, FeOOH, Fe2O3, MnO2, and SiO2, as well as authentic aerosol sample, was investigated by using a White Cell coupled with in situ-FTIR and Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS). Simultaneous observations of reactants and products were performed to obtain full information on the mechanism and kinetics of the reactions. SO2 was irreversibly adsorbed to form surface sulfite (SO3(2-)), bisulfite (HSO3(-)), and sulfate (SO4(2-)). The reactivity order of these particles is the following: FeOOH >Al2O3 > mixture > MgO > Fe2O3 > SiO2. Field-collected aerosol showed significant activity for the oxidation of SO2. The uptake coefficient of SO2 on Al2O3 with different acidity varied in the order of basic Al2O3 > neutral Al2O3 > acidic Al2O3. The surface-active oxygen and hydroxyl might be the key factors for the conversion of SO2 to SO4(2-). The faster reaction rate could be achieved with greater surface area on particles with the same mass. On the basis of the same surface area Fe2O3 could be most reactive in the reaction with SO2 compared with all other particles. The apparent rate constants were determined to be 1.35 x 10(-2) and 9.4 x 10(-3) for uptake on Al2O3 and MgO, respectively, which are the same as the results of other scientists.     

Determination of sulfite in water samples by flow injection analysis with fluorescence detection

<正>A fast,sensitive,and reliable method for the determination of sulfite(SO_3~(2-)) in fresh water and seawater samples was developed.The proposed method was based on the reaction of o-phthalaldehyde(OPA)-sulfite-NH_3 in alkaline solution,with flow injection analysis and fluorescence detection.The experimental parameters were investigated in pure water and seawater matrixes. The detection limits(S/N = 3) were 0.006μmol/L in pure water and 0.018μmol/L in seawater for SO_3~(2-).The method was successfully applied to analyze SO_3~(2-) in the samples of rain water and flue gas desulfurization seawater.     

Dicopper(II) complexes of a new di-para-xylyldioxatetraazamacrocycle and cascade species with dicarboxylate anions: thermodynamics and structural properties

The new dioxatetraazamacrocycle (L1) was synthesized by a 2 + 2 condensation and characterized. Stability constants of its copper(II) complexes were determined by spectrophotometry in DMSO at 298.2 K in 0.10 mol dm(-3) KClO4. Mainly dinuclear complexes are formed and the presence of mononuclear species is dependent on the counterion (Cl- or ClO4-). The association constants of the dinuclear copper(II) complexes with dicarboxylate anions [oxalate (oxa(2-)), malonate (mal(2-)), succinate (suc(2-)), and glutarate (glu(2-))] were also determined by spectrophotometry at 298.2 K in DMSO, and it was found that values decrease with an increase of the alkyl chain between the carboxylate groups. X-Band EPR spectra of the dicopper(II) complexes and of their cascade species in frozen DMSO exhibit dipole-dipole coupling, and their simulation, together with their UV-vis spectra, showed that the copper centres of the complexes in solution had square pyramidal geometries though with different distortions. From the experimental data, it was also possible to predict the Cu...Cu distances, the minimum being found at 6.4 angstroms for the Cu2L1Cl4 complex and then successively this distance slightly increases when the chloride anions are replaced by dicarboxylate anions, from 6.6 angstroms for oxa(2-) to 7.8 angstroms for glu(2-). The crystal structures of the dinuclear copper cascade species with oxa(-2) and suc(2-) were determined and showed one anion bridging both copper centres and Cu...Cu distances of 5.485(7) angstroms and 6.442(8) angstroms, respectively.     

High selective determination iron(II) by its enhancement effect on the fluorescence of pyrene-tetramethylpiperidinyl (TEMPO) as a spin fluorescence probe

A novel fluorescence method determination for iron(II) with a high selectivity and sensitivity has been proposed, based on the enhancement of fluorescence signals resulting from specific redox reaction between synthesized spin fluorescence probe pyrene-tetramethylpiperidinyl (TEMPO) and iron(II). Under the experimental conditions, fluorescent probe displayed a rapid and linear response for iron(II) over the concentration range from 2.4 x 10(-7) to 3.6 x 10(-6) mol/L. The limit of detection was 4.0 x 10(-8) mol/L. The relative standard deviation of six replicate measurements was 1.90% for 3.0 x 10(-7) mol/L iron(II). Because of the specific redox reaction between developed spin fluorescence probe and iron(II), there are few interference by other ions, especially in the presence of relative high concentration iron(III). The method has been successfully applied for iron(II) determinations in two different kinds of real samples. Results determined by the proposed method agree favorably with those determined UV-vis spectrometry method with 1,10-phenanthroline.     

Fluorescence spectrometry for quantitative characterization of cobalt(II) complexation by Leonardite humic acid

Quenching of the fluorescence of a Leonardite humic acid by Co(II) has been studied at different pH. The interaction was monitored by emission fluorescence and by synchronous fluorescence with two different offsets (deltalambda=20 and 80 nm). It was found that synchronous fluorescence performed with the smaller offset resolves the individual components of the heterogeneous material better than emission or synchronous fluorescence performed with the larger offset. Enhancement of the signal induced by Cobalt(II) complexation resulted in more complex behavior for measurements performed by synchronous fluorescence with an offset of 20 nm, however. The quenching profiles obtained for pH 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0 ([KNO(3)]=0.1 mol L(-1); [LHA]=3.3 mg(C) L(-1); [Co(II)]=1.0 x 10(-6)-1.6 x 10 (-3) mol L(-1)) by emission and synchronous (deltalambda=80 nm) fluorescence were analyzed by two methods: 1. a non-linear least-squares procedure that leads to conditional constants; and 2. a pH-dependent discrete logK spectrum model that leads to stability constants. The first method resulted in poor fitting and unreasonable values for maximum capacities. The second procedure resulted in smooth fitting that accounted well for the pH changes when results for pH 6.0 and 5.0 were predicted by use of the four values of logK(Co)(i) (4.31, 3.76, 7.32, and 7.67 corresponding to the four sites (i) of the respective pKa(i) values 4, 6, 8, and 10) calculated at pH 7.0 for the equilibrium     

Use of surface-modified CdTe quantum dots as fluorescent probes in sensing mercury (II)

Thioglycolic acid (TGA)-capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized in aqueous medium, and their interaction with metal cations was studied with UV-vis absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectra. The results demonstrated that Hg(II), Cu(II) and Ag(I) could effectively quench the QD emission based on different action mechanisms: Cu(II) and Ag(I) quenched CdTe QDs because they bound onto particle surface and facilitated non-radiative electron/hole recombination annihilation of QDs; electron transfer process between the capping ligands and Hg(II) was mainly responsible for the remarkable quenching effect of Hg(II). To prevent the approach of metal cations to QD core, the original TGA-capped CdTe QDs were further coated by denatured bovine serum albumin (dBSA). It was found that the dBSA-coated CdTe QDs could be quenched effectively by Hg(II), but Cu(II) and Ag(I) could hardly quench the QDs even at fairly higher concentration levels because the dBSA shell layer effectively prevented the binding of metal cations onto the QD core. On the basis of this fact, a simple, rapid and specific method for Hg(II) determination was proposed. Under optimal conditions, the quenched fluorescence intensity increased linearly with the concentration of Hg(II) ranging from 0.012 x 10(-6) to 1.5 x 10(-6) mol L(-1). The limit of detection for Hg(II) was 4.0 x 10(-9) mol L(-1). The developed method was successfully applied to the detection of trace Hg(II) in real samples.     

Determination of platinum(IV) by UV spectrophotometry

A simple, rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric procedure for the determination of platinum has been elaborated. Pt traces were determined in the form of the PtCl(6)(2-) complex in hydrochloric acid solution whose concentration varies from 0.01 to 2 mol L(-1) by measuring the absorbance at 260 nm. The detection limit is 4.7 x 10(-7) mol L(-1), the linearity range from 2 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) to 7 x 10(-6) mol L(-1), and the correlation coefficient is r=0.9990. No significant interferences were observed from a majority of the investigated ions, such as Zn(II), Pb(II), Mn(II), Cd(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) with the exception of Cu(II), Sb(III), Fe(III), Pd(II), Sn(II) and I(-) ions. The method was successfully applied for the determination of Pt traces in different solid samples and the recovery from inorganic materials was studied.     

Photoinduced carbon monoxide migration in a synthetic heme-copper complex

Time-resolved infrared (TRIR) flash photolytic techniques have been employed to initiate and observe the efficient dissociation of CO from a synthetic heme-CO/copper complex, [((6)L)Fe(II)(CO)..Cu(I)](+) (2), in CH(3)CN and acetone at room temperature. In CH(3)CN, a significant fraction of the photodissociated CO molecules transiently bind to copper (nu(CO)(Cu) = 2091 cm(-)(1)) giving [((6)L)Fe(II)..Cu(I)(CO)](+) (4), with an observed rate constant, k(1) = 1.5 x 10(5) s(-)(1). That is followed by a slower direct transfer of CO from the copper moiety back to the heme (nu(CO)(Fe) = 1975 cm(-)(1)) with k(2) = 1600 s(-)(1). Additional transient absorption (TA) UV-vis spectroscopic experiments have been performed monitoring the CO-transfer reaction by following the Soret band. Eyring analysis of the temperature-dependent data yields DeltaH(double dagger) = 43.9 kJ mol(-)(1) for the 4-to-2 transformation, similar to that for CO dissociation from [Cu(I)(tmpa)(CO)](+) in CH(3)CN (DeltaH(double dagger) = 43.6 kJ mol(-)(1)), suggesting CO dissociation from copper regulates the binding of small molecules to the heme within [((6)L)Fe(II)..Cu(I)](+)(3). Our observations are analagous to those observed for the heme(a3)/Cu(B) active site of cytochrome c oxidase, where photodissociated CO from the heme(a3) site immediately (ps) transfers to Cu(B) followed by millisecond transfer back to the heme.     

Trinuclear copper(II) complex showing high selectivity for the hydrolysis of 2'-5' over 3'-5' for UpU and 3'-5' over 2'-5' for ApA ribonucleotides

The cooperative action of multiple Cu(II) nuclear centers is shown to be effective and selective in the hydrolysis of 2'-5' and 3'-5' ribonucleotides. Reported herein is the specific catalysis by two trinuclear Cu(II) complexes of L3A and L3B. Pseudo first-order kinetic studies reveal that the L3A trinuclear Cu(II) complex effects hydrolysis of Up(2'-5')U with a rate constant of 28 x 10(-)(4) min(-)(1) and Up(3'-5')U with a rate constant of 0.5 x 10(-)(4) min(-)(1). The hydrolyses of Ap(3'-5')A and Ap(2'-5')A proceed with rate constants of 24 x 10(-)(4) min(-)(1) and 0.5 x 10(-)(4) min(-)(1) respectively. The L3A trinuclear Cu(II) complex demonstrates high specificity for Up(2'-5')U and Ap(3'-5')A. Similar studies with the more rigid L3B trinuclear Cu(II) complex shows no selectivity and yields lower rate constants for hydrolysis. The selectivity observed with the L3A ligand is attributed to the geometry of the ligand-bound diribonucleotide which ultimately dictates the proximity of the attacking hydroxyl and the phosphoester to a Cu(II) center for activation and subsequent hydrolysis.     

Coated-wire copper(II)-selective electrode based on phenylglyoxal-α-monoxime ionophore

A copper(II) ion-selective electrode based on a recently synthesized 2-quinolyl-2-phenylglyoxal-2-oxime (phenylglyoxal-alpha-monoxime) has been developed. The PVC-based membrane containing phenylglyoxal-alpha-monoxime, dibutyl phthalate as plasticizer, and sodium tetraphenylborate as anion excluder and membrane modifier, was directly coated on the surface of a platinum-wire electrode. The response of the electrode was linear with a near-Nernstian slope of 28.2 mV decade(-1) within the Cu2+ ion concentration range 1x10(-6)-1x10(-1) mol x L(-1). The response time for the proposed electrode to achieve a 95% steady potential for Cu2+ concentrations ranging from 1x10(-1) to 1x10(-6) mol x L(-1) is between 10 and 50 s, and the electrode is suitable for use within the pH range of 3 to 6.5. The electrode has a detection limit of 5x10(-7) mol x L(-1) Cu2+ and its selectivity relative to several alkali, alkaline earth, transition, and heavy metal ions was good. The coated-wire electrode could be used for at least two months without a considerable alteration of its potential. Applications of the electrode for determination of copper in milk powder samples and as an indicator electrode for potentiometric titration of Cu2+ ion using EDTA are reported.     

乳糖和麦芽糖水解反应速率常数的毛细管电泳测定方法

利用具有高分辩率和高灵敏度的毛细管电泳－电化学检测方法测定乳糖、麦芽糖及其水解产物的浓度随反应时间变化的规律。在H     

Rapid three-step cleavage of RNA and DNA model systems promoted by a dinuclear Cu(II) complex in methanol. energetic origins of the catalytic efficacy

A dinuclear Cu(II) complex of 1,3-bis-N(1)-(1,5,9-triazacyclododecyl)propane with an associated methoxide (2-Cu(II)(2):(-OCH(3))) was prepared, and its kinetics of reaction with an RNA model (2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate (1, HPNPP)) and two DNA models (methyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate (3) and iso-butyl p-chlorophenyl phosphate (4)) were studied in methanol solution at (s)(s)pH 7.2 +/- 0.2. X-ray diffraction structures of 2-Cu(II)(2):(-OH)(H(2)O)(CF(3)SO(3)-)(3):0.5CH(3)CH(2)OCH(2)CH(3) and 2-Cu(II)(2):(-OH)((C(6)H(5)CH(2)O)(2)PO(2)-)(CF(3)SO(3)-)2 show the mode of coordination of the bridging -OH and H(2)O between the two Cu(II) ions in the first complex and bridging -OH and phosphate groups in the second. The kinetic studies with 1 and 3 reveal some common preliminary steps prior to the chemical one of the catalyzed formation of p-nitrophenol. With 3, and also with the far less reactive substrate (4), two relatively fast events are cleanly observed via stopped-flow kinetics. The first of these is interpreted as a binding step which is linearly dependent on [catalyst] while the second is a unimolecular step independent of [catalyst] proposed to be a rearrangement that forms a doubly Cu(II)-coordinated phosphate. The catalysis of the cleavage of 1 and 3 is very strong, the first-order rate constants for formation of p-nitrophenol from the complex being approximately 0.7 s(-1) and 2.4 x 10(-3) s(-1), respectively. With substrate 3, 2-Cu(II)(2):(-OCH(3)) exhibits Michaelis-Mentin kinetics with a k(cat)/K(M) value of 30 M(-1) s(-1) which is 3.8 x 10(7)-fold greater than the methoxide promoted reaction of 3 (7.9 x 10(-7) M(-1) s(-1)). A free energy calculation indicates that the binding of 2-Cu(II)(2):(-OCH(3)) to the transition states for 1 and 3 cleavage stabilizes them by -21 and -24 kcal/mol, respectively, relative to that of the methoxide promoted reactions. The results are compared with a literature example where the cleavage of 1 in water is promoted by a dinuclear Zn(II) catalyst, and the energetic origins of the exalted catalysis of the 2-Cu(II)(2) and 2-Zn(II)(2) methanol systems are discussed.