Catalytic destruction of paraoxon by metallomicelle layers of Co(II) and Cr(III)

Two micellized ion complexes, Co(II) and Cr(III) were synthesized and found to possess good catalytic activity in cleaving the paraoxon/cobalt (chromate) complex phosphate ester. The complexes form metallomicelles, which bind the substrate by coordinating with the phosphorus in the paraoxon (which is chemically similar to the nerve agents sarin and soman). Possible reasons for the acceleration include enhanced electrophilicity of the micellized metals, enhanced surface activity, and the recognized ability of cationic micelles to accelerate the cleavage of phosphate ester. The results of kinetic data (half-lives) for paraoxon degradation were 16.5 and 28.9 min in the presence of Co(II) and Cr(III) metallomicelle layers, respectively. The higher the value of the stability constant, the more stable the Co(II) and Cr(III) complexes.