Synthesis of fluoroalkyl end-capped co-oligomers containing 8-hydroxyquinolyl segments and application to oligomer-catalyzed solvolysis reactions

New fluoroalkyl end-capped co-oligomers containing 8-hydroxyquinolyl segments were prepared by the reactions of fluoroalkyl end-capped co-oligomers bearing isocyanato groups. The solvolysis of p-nitrophenyl propaonate (PNP) in the presence of these fluorinated co-oligomers and the corresponding  co-oligomers was investigated in 3:1 (v/v) aqueous methanol buffer solution (0.05 M phosphate, pH 9.2) at 30°C. A large rate enhancement was observed in the presence of the fluorinated co-oligomers for the solvolysis of PNP as compared with the corresponding non-fluorinated co-oligomers. Therefore, these fluoroalkyl end-capped co-oligomers are of particular interest as new fluorinated biomimetic systems for enzyme catalysts.