A Dinuclear Strontium(II) Complex as Substrate-Selective Catalyst of Ester Cleavage

Rates of basic ethanolysis of aryl acetates endowed with one or two carboxylate anchoring groups are enhanced by a dinuclear SrII complex. Comparison with a mononuclear SrII complex reveals varying degrees of synergism between the two metal centres in the dinuclear catalyst, depending on substrate identity and catalyst concentration. The largest rate enhancements are observed when the reaction of the bicarboxylate substrate is carried out in the presence of the dinuclear metal complex.