Programmed enzyme-mimic hydrolysis of a choline carbonate by a metal-free 2-aminobenzimidazole-based cavitand.

The hydrolysis of a choline carbonate through a metal-free, enzyme-like mechanism has been achieved using a 2-aminobenzimidazole-based deep cavitand as catalyst. The supramolecular catalysis involves three steps: host-guest binding, carbamoylation and enzyme-like hydrolysis. Interestingly the rate-determining step proceeds through a programmed hydrolysis of carbamoylcholine-cavitand intermediate that may be driven by water molecules surrounding the benzimidazole walls of the cavity.