The reaction of the superoxide ion with iron(III)protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester perchlorate: Evidence for a stable dioxygen complex

Abstract

The reaction of superoxide ion with one equivalent of iron(III)protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester perchlorate in NN-dimethylformamide at −50°C yields a complex with an absorption spectrum comparable to that of oxymyoglobin. The complex decomposes at −10° to iron(II)protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester which does not react with oxygen.