RNA의 가수분해시에 생성되는 cyclic phosphate 중간체의 모델 화합물인 ethylene phosphate의 P-O결합 분해속도 상수는 $100^{circ}C$ 에서 $k=3{ imes}10^{-7}s^{-1}({Delta}H{ eq}=24;kcal,;{Delta}S{ eq}=25.5;eu)$이었으며 DNA모델 화합물인 dimethylphosphate는 $150^{circ}C$에서 $1{ imes}10^{-11}s^{-1}({Delta}H{ eq}=36;kcal,;{Delta}S{ eq}=25.5;eu)$이었다. RNA모델 화합물인 hydroxyethylmethylphosphate의 가수분해는 dimethylphosphate의 C-O결합이 가수분해되는 반응속도와 비교될 만한 정도의 반응속도가 관측되었다.
Rate of hydrolysis ethylene phosphate, dimethylphosphate and hydroxyethylmethylphosphate in neutral water have been measured. Hydrolysis of ethylene phosphate proceeds with P-0 bond cleavage $(k_{obs}=3{ imes}10^{-7}s^{-1};at;100^{circ}C,;{Delta}H{ eq}=24;kcal,;{Delta}S{ eq}=25.5;eu)$. In constrast, hydrolysis of dimethylphosphate proceeds with C-O bond cleavage $(k_{obs}=3{ imes}10^{-7}s^{-1};at;150^{circ}C)$. The rate constant for P-O bond cleavage of dimethylphosphate is estimated at $1{ imes}10^{-11}s^{-1};at;150^{circ}C,;({Delta}H{ eq}=36;kcal,;{Delta}S{ eq}=25.5;eu)$. A phosphodiesterase catalyzed hydrolysis of dimethylphosphate is $10^{17}$ times faster than the simple water rate. The observed rate of hydrolysis of hydroxyethylmethylphosphate is comparable to that of dimethylphosphate indicating C-O bond cleavage $(k_{obs}=6{ imes}10^{-7}s^{-1};at;150^{circ}C)$.
