The catalytic activity of dithiocarbamate appended alpha- and beta-cyclodextrins in the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA) vas studied at alkaline pH. The values of k(cat)/k(uncat) for the hydrolysis of PNPA ranged from 8 to 165 in the presence of the catalyst and are pH independent in the range 7.5-9.0. Addition of Cu(II) increases the activity by factors of 75-515 and k(cat) values increase with increasing pH in the same range. The differences in the obtained kinetic parameters are interpreted on the basis of two different mechanisms. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.