Comparison of biomimetic catalytic properties of modified polyethylenimines with those of micelles

Polyethylenimine provides a remarkably versatile macromolecular matrix for the introduction of environments that might accelerate specific chemical reactions. Two features of the behavior of such modified polymers are described. (1) Alkylated cationic derivatives of polyethylenimine are effective in providing an environment for nucleophilic catalysis of hydrolysis of nitrophenyl acylates, much more so than are corresponding alkyl cationic micelle-forming detergents. (2) Donor-acceptor electron transfer can be influenced by preferential interactions of the macromolecule with radical ions; again the polymer is more effective than micelles. In general, apolar, quaternized polyethylenimines facilitate chemical changes that would otherwise not occur readily in aqueous solution.