An Unusual Two-Step Hydrolysis of Nerve Agents by a Nanozyme

Organophosphate-based nerve agents irreversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase enzyme, leading to respiratory failure, paralysis and death. Several organophosphorus hydrolases are capable of degrading nerve agents including pesticides and insecticides. Development of stable artificial enzymes capable of hydrolysing nerve agents is important for the degradation of environmentally toxic organophosphates. Herein, we describe a Zr-incorporated CeO2 nanocatalyst that can be used for an efficient capture and hydrolysis of nerve agents such as methyl paraoxon to less toxic monoesters. This unusual sequential degradation pathway involves a covalently linked nanocatalyst-phosphodiester intermediate.