We present 2-dimensional potential energy surfaces and optimised transition states (TS) for water attack on a series of substituted phosphate monoester monoanions at the DFT level of theory, comparing a standard 6-31++g(d,p) basis set with a larger triple-zeta (augmented cc-pVTZ) basis set. Small fluorinated model compounds are used to simulate increasing leaving group stability without adding further geometrical complexity to the system. We demonstrate that whilst changing the leaving group causes little qualitative change in the potential energy surfaces (with the exception of the system with the most electron withdrawing leaving group, CF3O−, in which the associative pathway changes from a stepwise AN + DN pathway to a concerted ANDN pathway), there is a quantitative change in relative gas-phase and solution barriers for the two competing pathways. In line with previous studies, in the case of OCH3, the barriers for the associative and dissociative pathways are similar in solution, and the two pathways are equally viable and indistinguishable in solution. However, significantly increasing the stability of the leaving group (decreasing proton affinity, PA) results in the progressive favouring of a stepwise dissociative, DN + AN, mechanism over associative mechanisms.

Many phosphatases make use of metal ions to aid catalysis of phosphate ester hydrolysis. Here, we investigate the impact of metal ions on the potential energy surface (PES), and hence the preferred reaction mechanism, for a simple model for hydrolysis of phosphate ester monoanions. We show that, while both associative (AN + DN) and dissociative (DN + AN) mechanisms are represented on the potential energy surfaces both in the presence and absence of metal ions, the DN + AN process is favoured when there are no metal ions present and the AN + DN process is favoured in the presence of two metal ions. A concerted (ANDN) process is also available in the presence of two metal ions, but proceeds via a high-energy transition state. In the presence of only a single metal ion the ANDN process is the most favoured, but still proceeds via a high-energy transition state. Thus, we conclude that metallo-enzyme phosphatases are likely to utilise an associative process, while those that function without metal ions may well follow a dissociative process.

Many phosphatases make use of metal ions to aid catalysis of phosphate ester hydrolysis. Here, we investigate the impact of metal ions on the potential energy surface (PES), and hence the preferred reaction mechanism, for a simple model for hydrolysis of phosphate ester monoanions. We show that, while both associative (AN + DN) and dissociative (DN + AN) mechanisms are represented on the potential energy surfaces both in the presence and absence of metal ions, the DN + AN process is favoured when there are no metal ions present and the AN + DN process is favoured in the presence of two metal ions. A concerted (ANDN) process is also available in the presence of two metal ions, but proceeds via a high-energy transition state. In the presence of only a single metal ion the ANDN process is the most favoured, but still proceeds via a high-energy transition state. Thus, we conclude that metallo-enzyme phosphatases are likely to utilise an associative process, while those that function without metal ions may well follow a dissociative process.

We present 2-dimensional potential energy surfaces and optimised transition states (TS) for water attack on a series of substituted phosphate monoester monoanions at the DFT level of theory, comparing a standard 6-31++g(d,p) basis set with a larger triple-zeta (augmented cc-pVTZ) basis set. Small fluorinated model compounds are used to simulate increasing leaving group stability without adding further geometrical complexity to the system. We demonstrate that whilst changing the leaving group causes little qualitative change in the potential energy surfaces (with the exception of the system with the most electron withdrawing leaving group, CF3O−, in which the associative pathway changes from a stepwise AN + DN pathway to a concerted ANDN pathway), there is a quantitative change in relative gas-phase and solution barriers for the two competing pathways. In line with previous studies, in the case of OCH3, the barriers for the associative and dissociative pathways are similar in solution, and the two pathways are equally viable and indistinguishable in solution. However, significantly increasing the stability of the leaving group (decreasing proton affinity, PA) results in the progressive favouring of a stepwise dissociative, DN + AN, mechanism over associative mechanisms.