Programmed Enzyme-Mimic Hydrolysis of a Choline Carbonate by a Metal-Free 2‑Amino­benz­imidazole-Based Cavitand

The hydrolysis of a choline carbonate through a metal-free, enzyme-like mechanism has been achieved using a 2-amino­benz­imid­azole-based deep cavitand as catalyst. The supramolecular catalysis involves three steps: host–guest binding, carbamoylation and enzyme-like hydrolysis. Interestingly the rate-determining step proceeds through a programmed hydrolysis of carba­moyl­choline-cavitand intermediate that may be driven by water molecules surrounding the benzimidazole walls of the cavity