Insights into heterogeneous phosphodiester hydrolysis using a simple hydrogel-based copper(II)-imidazole catalyst

► Vinylimidazole/acrylamide hydrogels were used to bind copper(II) ions. ► Gels exhibited spectral features indicative of copper(II) in a tetragonal coordination geometry. ► These gels hydrolyzed bis(3-nitrophenyl)phosphate, obeying Michaelis-Menten kinetics. ► Saturation and pH studies showed gel susceptibility to many inhibition mechanisms. ► The susceptibility to inhibition is believed to be a function of the active site geometry.