Aromatic acyl phosphates as substrates of acyl phosphatase.

Two aromatic acyl phosphates, benzoyl phosphate and p -nitrobenzoyl phosphate, were synthesized and some of their properties were studied. Both are split by purified muscle acyl phosphatase: their suitable optical characteristics, particularly of benzoyl phosphate, make it possible to use them as advantageous substrates for the continuous measurement of enzyme activity.