Formation of superoxide radical anion in the horseradish peroxidase-catalysed oxidation of three aromatic tertiary amines with hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

The horseradish peroxidase-catalysed oxidation of aromatic tertiary amines with hydrogen peroxide to give a secondary amine and an aldehyde occurs through the co-occurrence of the usual reaction with H2O2 and a free radical chain reaction which depends upon oxygen concentration. The intervention of superoxide radical anion is demonstrated by the reduction of cytochrome CIII and the dismutation catalysed by superoxide dismutase.