Diguanidinocalix[4]arenes as effective and selective catalysts of the cleavage of diribonucleoside monophosphates

Calix[4]arenes derivatives 1 and 2, featuring two guanidine units at the upper rim, catalyze the transesterification of diribonucleoside monophosphates much more effectively than that of HPNP. Rate accelerations relative to the background range from 10^3 to 10^4-fold, and approach 10^5-fold with the most favorable substrate-catalyst combinations.