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Reaction of Methæmoglobin with Hydrogen Peroxide

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Abstract

IT was previously shown1,2 that methæmoglobin forms with hydrogen peroxide and ethyl hydroperoxide reversible compounds analogous to those which it forms with cyanide, sulphide, azide and fluoride. By spectroscopic and manometric methods it was demonstrated that the formation of methæmoglobin–peroxide requires one molecule of peroxide per iron atom of methæmoglobin1. The striking resemblance of methæmoglobin to peroxidase and catalase suggested that further study of the reaction between methæmoglobin and hydrogen peroxide might help to clarify certain points concerning these enzymes, and in particular the mechanism of catalatic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to molecular oxygen and water.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molteno Institute, University of Cambridge,

    D. KEILIN & E. F. HARTREE

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  1. D. KEILIN
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  2. E. F. HARTREE
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KEILIN, D., HARTREE, E. Reaction of Methæmoglobin with Hydrogen Peroxide. Nature 166, 513–514 (1950). https://doi.org/10.1038/166513a0

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