Oxoammonium Cation Research Articles

Reactions of nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, and carbonate radicals with nitroxides and their corresponding oxoammonium cations.

Cyclic nitroxides effectively protect biological systems against radical-induced damage. However, the mechanism of the reactions of nitroxides with nitrogen-derived reactive species and carbonate radicals is far from being elucidated. In the present study, the reactions of several representative piperidine- and pyrrolidine-based nitroxides with *NO, peroxynitrite, and CO3*- were investigated, and the results are as follows: (i) There is no evidence for any direct reaction between the nitroxides and the *NO. In the presence of oxygen, the nitroxides are readily oxidized by *NO2, which is formed as an intermediate during autoxidation of *NO. (ii) *NO reacts with the oxoammonium cations to form nitrite and the corresponding nitroxides with k1 = (9.8 +/- 0.2) x 10(3) and (3.7 +/- 0.1) x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) for the oxoammonium cations derived from 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TPO) and 3-carbamoyl-proxyl (3-CP), respectively. (iii) CO3*- oxidizes all nitroxides tested to their oxoammonium cations with similar rate constants of (4.0 +/- 0.5) x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), which are about 3-4 times higher than those determined for H-abstraction from the corresponding hydroxylamines TPO-H and 4-OH-TPO-H. (iv) Peroxynitrite ion does not react directly with the nitroxides but rather with their oxoammonium cations with k(10) = (6.0 +/- 0.9) x 10(6) and (2.7 +/- 0.9) x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) for TPO+ and 3-CP+, respectively. These results provide a better insight into the complex mechanism of the reaction of peroxynitrite with nitroxides, which has been a controversial subject. The small effect of relatively low concentrations of nitroxides on the decomposition rate of peroxynitrite is attributed to their ability to scavenge efficiently *NO2 radicals, which are formed during the decomposition of peroxynitrite in the absence and in the presence of CO2. The oxoammonium cations, thus formed, are readily reduced back to the nitroxides by ONOO-, while forming *NO and O2. Hence, nitroxides act as true catalysts in diverting peroxynitrite decomposition from forming nitrating species to producing nitrosating ones.

Reactions of PTIO and Carboxy-PTIO with ·NO, ·NO2, and [formula omitted

Nitronyl nitroxides, such as derivatives of 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5,-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (PTIOs), react with *NO to form the corresponding imino nitroxides (PTIs) and *NO2. PTIOs are considered as monitors of *NO, stoichiometric sources of *NO2, biochemical and physiological effectors, specific tools for the elimination of *NO, and potential therapeutic agents. However, a better understanding of the chemical properties of PTIOs, especially following their reaction with *NO, is necessary to resolve many of the reported discrepancies surrounding the effects of PTIOs and to better characterize their potential therapeutic activity. We have generated electrochemically the oxidized and reduced forms of PTIO and carboxy-PTIO (C-PTIO), characterized their absorption spectra, and determined the reduction potentials for the oxoammonium/nitroxide and nitroxide/hydroxylamine couples. The rate constants for the reaction of *NO2 with PTIO and C-PTIO to form the corresponding oxoammonium cations (PTIO+s) and nitrite were determined to be (1.5 - 2) x 10(7) m-1 s-1. We have also shown that the reactions of PTIO+s with *NO form PTIOs and NO2-. The rate constants for these reactions are approximately 30-fold higher than those for the reactions of PTIOs with *NO or O2-*. The present results show that (i) the reaction of PTIOs with *NO forms solely PTIs and NO2- where [NO2-]/[PTI] varies between 1 and 2 depending on the steady-state concentrations of *NO. Consequently, quantitation of *NO is valid only at sufficiently low fluxes of *NO; (ii) the reaction of PTIOs with *NO can be used as a valid source of *NO2 only when the latter is effectively scavenged by an appropriate reductant; and (iii) the formation of peroxynitrite cannot be efficiently inhibited by PTIOs even under relatively low fluxes of *NO and O2-* and millimolar levels of PTIOs.

Reaction of cyclic nitroxides with nitrogen dioxide: the intermediacy of the oxoammonium cations.

Piperidine and pyrrolidine nitroxides, such as 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinoxyl (TPO) and 3-carbamoylproxyl (3-CP), respectively, are cell-permeable stable radicals, which effectively protect cells, tissues, isolated organs, and laboratory animals from radical-induced damage. The kinetics and mechanism of their reactions with .OH, superoxide, and carbon-centered radicals have been extensively studied, but not with .NO2, although the latter is a key intermediate in cellular nitrosative stress. In this research, .NO2 was generated by pulse radiolysis, and its reactions with TPO, 4-OH-TPO, 4-oxo-TPO, and 3-CP were studied by fast kinetic spectroscopy, either directly or by using ferrocyanide or 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate), which effectively scavenge the product of this reaction, the oxoammonium cation. The rate constants for the reactions of .NO2 with these nitroxides were determined to be (7-8) x 10(8) M(-)(1) s(-)(1), independent of the pH over the range 3.9-10.2. These are among the highest rate constants measured for .NO2 and are close to that of the reaction of .NO2 with .NO, that is, 1.1 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1). The hydroxylamines TPO-H and 4-OH-TPO-H are less reactive toward .NO2, and an upper limit for the rate constant for these reactions was estimated to be 1 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1). The kinetics results demonstrate that the reaction of nitroxides with .NO2 proceeds via an inner-sphere electron-transfer mechanism to form the respective oxoammonium cation, which is reduced back to the nitroxide through the oxidation of nitrite to .NO2. Hence, the nitroxide slows down the decomposition of .NO2 into nitrite and nitrate and could serve as a reservoir of .NO2 unless the respective oxoammonium is rapidly scavenged by other reductant. This mechanism can contribute toward the protective effect of nitroxides against reactive nitrogen-derived species, although the oxoammonium cations themselves might oxidize essential cellular targets if they are not scavenged by common biological reductants, such as thiols.

The role of oxoammonium cation in the SOD-mimic activity of cyclic nitroxides.

Cyclic nitroxides (RNO(*)) mimic the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and demonstrate antioxidant properties in numerous in vitro and in vivo models. Their broad antioxidant activity may involve the participation of their reduced and oxidized forms, that is, hydroxylamine (RNO-H) and oxoammonium cation (RNO(+)). To examine this possibility we studied the reactions of RNO(*) and RNO(+) with HO(2)(*)/O(2)(*)(-) and with several reductants by pulse radiolysis and rapid-mixing stopped-flow techniques. The oxoammonium cations were generated by electrochemical and radiolytic oxidation of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinoxyl (TPO) and 3-carbamoyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidinoxyl (3-CP). The rate constant for the reaction of RNO(*) with HO(2)(*) to form RNO(+) was determined to be (1.2 +/- 0.1) x 10(8) for TPO and (1.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(6) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) for 3-CP. The kinetics results demonstrate that the reaction of RNO(*) with HO(2)(*) proceeds via an inner-sphere electron-transfer mechanism. The rate constant for the reaction of RNO(*) with O(2)(*)(-) is lower than 1 x 10(3) M(-)(1) s(-)(1). The rate constant for the reaction of RNO(+) with O(2)(*)(-) was determined to be (3.4 +/- 0.2) x 10(9) for TPO(+) and (5.0 +/- 0.2) x 10(9) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) for 3-CP(+). Hence, both nitroxides catalyze the dismutation of superoxide through the RNO(*)/RNO(+) redox couple, and the dependence of the catalytic rate constant, k(cat), on pH displayed a bell-shaped curve having a maximum around pH 4. The oxoammonium cation oxidized ferrocyanide and HO(2)(-) by a one-electron transfer, whereas the oxidation of methanol, formate, and NADH proceeded through a two-electron-transfer reaction. The redox potential of RNO(*)/RNO(+) couple was calculated to be 0.75 and 0.89 V for 3-CP and TPO, respectively. The elucidated mechanism provides a clearer insight into the biological antioxidant properties of cyclic nitroxides that should permit design of even more effective antioxidants.

Cyclic voltammetry of metal complexes of nitrones and nitroxides

Increasing interest in radicals bound to metals led to the present study of electron transfer to and from metal nitrone complexes and metal nitroxides. These are species involved in biological spin trapping and materials science applications, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the redox behavior of complexes of the bidentate N- tert-butyl-α-(2-pyridyl)nitrone (2-PyBN) and the monodentate nitrone 2,5,5-trimethyl-1-pyrroline- N-oxide (M 3PO) with metal hexafluoroacetylacetonates M(hfac) 2 in CH 2Cl 2. Bidentate complexes M(2-PyBN)(hfac) 2 with M=Mn II and Co II were easier to oxidize in CH 2Cl 2 (less positive E pa) than the corresponding M(hfac) 2 and harder to reduce (more negative E pc). In MeCN, this behavior was also observed for M=Co II and Ni II which indicate more facile oxidation when M 3PO is present as co-ligand compared with M(hfac) 2 alone. CV's of M(2-PyBN)(hfac) 2 and [M(M 3PO)(hfac) 2] 2 in MeCN gave common reduction peaks due to hfac. Nitroxides (aminoxyls) 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) and 3-carbamoyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-pyrroline-1-oxyl (CPNO) gave quasi-reversible oxidations to oxoammonium cations, while N- tert-butyl-(2-pyridyl)phenylmethanaminoxyl (2-PyBNO) showed only irreversible oxidations. CV of solutions of CPNO in the presence of M(hfac) 2, where M is Mn II, Co II, or Ni II, indicated formation of metal–nitroxide complexes for Co II and Ni II. For stable metal nitroxides prepared independently, the CV of Mn(TEMPO) 2 (hfac) 2 showed dissociation to free nitroxide and Mn(hfac) 2 in CH 2Cl 2, while M(2-PyBNO)(hfac) 2 gave distinctive CV's for M=Mn II, Co II, and Ni II.

Kinetics and mechanism of hydroxyl radical and OH-adduct radical reactions with nitroxides and with their hydroxylamines.

Stable nitroxide radicals are potent antioxidants and are among the most effective non-thiol radioprotectants, although they react with hydroxyl radicals more slowly than typical phenolic antioxidants or thiols. Surprisingly, the reduced forms of cyclic nitroxides, cyclic hydroxylamines, are better reductants yet have no radioprotective activity. To clarify the reason for this difference, we studied the kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions of nitroxides and their hydroxylamines with (*)OH radicals and with OH-adducts by using pulse radiolysis, fluorimetric determination of phenolic radiation products, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometric determination of nitroxide concentrations following radiolysis. Competition kinetics with phenylalanine as a reference compound in pulse radiolysis experiments yielded rate constants of (4.5 +/- 0.4) x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) for the reaction of (*)OH radical with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TPO), 4-hydroxy-TPO (4-OH-TPO), and 4-oxo-TPO (4-O-TPO), (3.0 +/- 0.3) x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) for deuterated 4-O-TPO, and (1.0 +/- 0.1) x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) for the hydroxylamine 4-OH-TPO-H. The kinetic isotope effect suggests the occurrence of both (*)OH addition to the aminoxyl moiety of 4-O-TPO and H-atom abstraction from the 2- or 6-methyl groups or from the 3- and 5-methylene positions. This conclusion was further supported by final product analysis, which demonstrated that (*)OH partially oxidizes 4-O-TPO to the corresponding oxoammonium cation. The rate constants for the reactions of the nitroxides with the OH-adducts of phenylalanine and terephthalate have been determined to be near 4 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), whereas the hydroxylamine reacted at least 50 times slower, if at all. These findings indicate that the reactivity toward (*)OH does not explain the differences between the radioprotective activities of nitroxides and hydroxylamines. Instead, the radioprotective activity of nitroxides, but not of hydroxylamines, can be partially attributed to their ability to detoxify OH-derived secondary radicals.

The Mechanism by which 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidene-1-oxyl (tempol) diverts peroxynitrite decomposition from nitrating to nitrosating species.

Tempol is a stable nitroxide radical that has been shown to protect laboratory animals from the injury associated with conditions of oxidative and nitrosoactive stress. Tempol's protective mechanisms against reactive oxygen species have been extensively studied, but its interactions with reactive nitrogen species remain little explored. Recently, it has been shown that tempol is a potent inhibitor of peroxynitrite-mediated phenol nitration while it increases phenol nitrosation by a complex mechanism [Carrol et al. (2000) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 13, 294]. To obtain further mechanistic insights, we reexamined the interaction of peroxynitrite with tempol in the absence and presence of carbon dioxide. Stopped-flow kinetic studies confirmed that tempol does not react directly with peroxynitrite but levels off the amount of oxygen (monitored with an oxygen electrode) and nitrite (monitored by chemiluminescence) produced from peroxynitrite in the presence and absence of carbon dioxide to about 30% and 70% of the initial oxidant concentration at pH 5.4, 6.4, and 7.4. Tempol inhibited phenol nitration while increasing the amounts of 4-nitrosophenol, that attained yields close to 30% of the peroxynitrite in the presence of carbon dioxide at pH 7.4. Fast-flow EPR experiments showed detectable changes in the instantaneous tempol concentration (maximum of 15%) only in the presence of carbon dioxide. Under these conditions, the instantaneous concentration of the carbonate radical anion was reduced by tempol in a concentration-dependent manner. The results indicate that tempol is oxidized by peroxynitrite-derived radicals (*OH and CO(3)(*-), in the absence and presence of carbon dioxide, respectively) to the oxoammonium cation which, in turn, is reduced back to tempol while oxidizing peroxynitrite to oxygen and nitric oxide. The latter reacts rapidly with peroxynitrite-derived nitrogen dioxide to produce the nitrosating species, dinitrogen trioxide. Overall, the results support a role for peroxynitrite and its derived radicals in the tissue pathology associated with inflammatory conditions.

The pro-oxidative activity of SOD and nitroxide SOD mimics.

Native Cu,Zn-SOD and synthetic SOD mimics sometimes demonstrate an apparently anomalous bell-shaped dose-response relationship when protecting various biological systems from oxidative stress. Several mechanisms have been proposed to account for such an effect, including: overproduction of H(2)O(2), peroxidative activity of SOD, and opposing roles played by O(2)(*-) in both initiation and termination of radical chain reactions. In the present study, ferrocyanide and thiols, which are susceptible to one-electron and two-electron oxidation, respectively, were subjected to a flux of superoxide in the presence and absence of SOD or SOD mimics. The results show that 1) either O(2)(*-)/HO(2)(*) or H(2)O(2) alone partially inactivates papain, whereas when combined they act synergistically; 2) nitroxide SOD mimics, but not SOD, exhibit a bell-shaped dose-response relationship in protecting papain from inactivation; 3) SOD, which at low dose inhibits superoxide-induced oxidation of ferrocyanide, loses its antioxidative effect as its concentration increases. These findings offer an additional explanation for the pro-oxidative activity of SOD and SOD mimics without invoking any dual activity of O(2)(*-) or a combined effect of SOD and H(2)O(2). The most significant outcome of an increase in SOD level is a decrease of [O(2)(*-)](steady state), rather than any notable elevation of [H(2)O(2)](steady state). As a result, the reaction kinetics of the high oxidation state of each catalyst is altered. In the presence of ultra-low [O(2)(*-)](steady state), the oxidized form of SOD [Cu(II),Zn-SOD] or SOD mimic (oxo-ammonium cation) does not react with O(2)(*-) but rather oxidizes the target molecule that it was supposed to have protected. Consequently, these catalysts exert an anti- or pro-oxidative effect depending on their concentration.

4-Hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (Tempol) Inhibits Peroxynitrite-Mediated Phenol Nitration

Peroxynitrite (PN), a very reactive oxidant formed by the combination of superoxide and nitric oxide, appears to play a role in producing tissue damage in a number of inflammatory conditions. Pharmacological scavenging and decomposition of PN within these areas has therapeutic value in several tissue injury models. Recently, we have been interested in nitroxide free radical-containing compounds as possible scavengers of PN decomposition products. Nitroxides can undergo redox reactions to the corresponding hydroxylamine anion or oxoammonium cation in biological systems as shown by its ability to react with superoxide, leading to the formation of hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. We found that 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (Tempol) inhibits PN-mediated nitration of phenolic compounds in the presence of a large molar excess of PN, suggesting a catalytic-like mechanism. In these experiments, Tempol inhibited PN-mediated nitration over the pH range of 6.5-8.5. This inhibition was specific for nitration and had no effect on hydroxylation. After the inhibition of PN-mediated nitration, Tempol was recovered from the reaction mixtures unmodified. In addition, Tempol was effective in protecting PC-12 cells from death induced by SIN-1, a PN-generating compound. The exact mechanism of Tempol's interaction with PN is not clear; however, we propose that an intermediate in this reaction may be a nitrogen dioxide radical-Tempol complex. This complex could react with water to form either nitrite or nitrate, or with a phenol radical to produce nitrophenol or nitrosophenol products and regenerate the nitroxide.

Both Hydroxylamine and Nitroxide Protect Cardiomyocytes from Oxidative Stress

The unique anti-oxidative activity of nitroxide radicals protecting against reactive oxygen-derived species (ROS) has been recently demonstrated in several model systems. The present study focuses on the activity of nitroxide and of its reduced form in cultured rat ventricular cardiomyocytes exposed to O 2 ̇ − and H 2O 2 generated by hypoxanthine (HX) and xanthine oxidase (XO). To evaluate cell injury, spontaneous beating, leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and depletion of cellular ATP were determined. The protective effect of 4-OH-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-N-oxyl (TPL) was compared with that of 4-OH-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-hydroxypiperidine (TPL-H) and of several common anti-oxidants. A rapid exchange between TPL and TPL-H, is mediated by cellular metabolism and through reactions with ROS. In particular, TPL under O 2 ̇ − flux is oxidized to oxo-ammonium cation (TPL +) which comproportionates with TPL-H yielding two nitroxide radicals. Because this exchange limits the distinction between the biological activities of TPL and TPL-H, NADH which can reduce TPL + was included in order to maintain the nitroxide in its reduced form. The results demonstrate that both TPL and TPL-H protect cardiomyocytes against beating loss and LDH leakage. Conversely, cellular ATP depletion induced by HX/XO is inhibited by TPL-H, though not by TPL, suggesting that different mechanisms underlie their protective activities. Through a flip-flop between the two forms, which coexist in the system, the levels of TPL-H and TPL are continuously replenished. The conversion, upon reaction, of each antioxidant into the other one enables them, contrary to common antioxidants which operate in a stoichiometric mode, to act catalytically.

Stimulation by Nitroxides of Catalase-like Activity of Hemeproteins: KINETICS AND MECHANISM

The ability of stable nitroxide radicals to detoxify hypervalent heme proteins such as ferrylmyoglobin (MbFeIV) produced in the reaction of metmyoglobin (MbFeIII) and H2O2 was evaluated by monitoring O2 evolution, H2O2 depletion, and redox changes of the heme prosthetic group. The rate of H2O2 depletion and O2 evolution catalyzed by MbFeIII was enhanced by stable nitroxides such as 4-OH-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidinoxyl (TPL) in a catalytic fashion. The reduction of MbFeIV to MbFeIII was the rate-limiting step. Excess TPL over MbFeIII enhanced catalase-like activity more than 4-fold. During dismutation of H2O2, [TPL] and [MbFeIV] remained constant. NADH caused: (a) inhibition of H2O2 decay; (b) progressive reduction of TPL to its respective hydroxylamine TPL-H; and (c) arrest/inhibition of oxygen evolution or elicit consumption of O2. Following depletion of NADH the evolution of O2 resumed, and the initial concentration of TPL was restored. Kinetic analysis showed that two distinct forms of MbFeIV might be involved in the process. In summary, by shuttling between two oxidation states, namely nitroxide and oxoammonium cation, stable nitroxides enhance the catalase mimic activity of MbFeIII, thus facilitating H2O2 dismutation accompanied by O2 evolution and providing protection against hypervalent heme proteins.

Electrode reactions of nitroxyl radicals. XI: Coulometric experiments on the oxidation of aliphatic alcohols by oxoammonium cations

We describe a coulometric method of determining the rate constants of the chemical reactions occurring in the oxidation of aliphatic alcohols by oxoammonium cations. The experiments were carried out in aqueous solutions within the pH range 4 to 5. Oxoammonium cations were generated by the electrochemical oxidation of nitroxyl radicals. The oxidation reactions of seven simple aliphatic alcohols, both primary and secondary, with different structures of the carbon chain, were examined. The values of standard rate constants of the oxidation of alcohols by oxoammonium cations were determined. The relationships between the rate of this process and the pH of the solution were also examined.

Oxoammonium cation intermediate in the nitroxide-catalyzed dismutation of superoxide.

Dismutation of superoxide has been shown previously to be catalyzed by stable nitroxide compounds. In the present study, the mechanism of superoxide (.O2-) dismutation by various five-membered ring and six-membered ring nitroxides was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry, UV-visible spectrophotometry, cyclic voltammetry, and bulk electrolysis. Electron paramagnetic resonance signals from the carbocyclic nitroxide derivatives (piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, and pyrrolinyl) were unchanged when exposed to enzymatically generated .O2-, whereas, in the presence of .O2- and reducing agents such as NADH and NADPH, the nitroxides underwent reduction to their respective hydroxylamines. The reaction of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-hydroxypiperidine (Tempol-H) with .O2- was measured and, in agreement with earlier reports on related compounds, the rate was found to be too slow to be consistent with a mechanism of .O2- dismutation involving the hydroxylamine as an intermediate. Voltammetric analyses of the carbocyclic nitroxide derivatives revealed a reversible one-electron redox couple at positive potentials. In contrast, oxazolidine derivatives were irreversibly oxidized. At negative potentials, all of the nitroxides studied exhibited a broad, irreversible reductive wave. The rate of .O2- dismutation correlated with the reversible midpoint redox potential. Bulk electrolysis at positive potentials was found to generate a metastable oxidized form of the nitroxide. The results indicate that the dismutation of .O2- is catalyzed by the oxoammonium/nitroxide redox couple for carbocyclic nitroxide derivatives. In addition to the one-electron mitochondrial reduction pathway, the present results suggest the possibility that cellular bioreduction by a two-electron pathway may occur subsequent to oxidation of stable nitroxides. Furthermore, the cellular destruction of persistent spin adduct nitroxides might also be facilitated by a primary univalent oxidation.

Photolysis of dioxiranes in the presence of a nitroxide radical scavenger: the intermediacy of radical anion and diyl species in the production and trapping of methyl and trifluoromethyl radicals

Electron transfer between dioxiranes 1 and nitroxide 2 affords the dioxirane radical anion–oxoammonium cation pair, which generates methyl radicals that are trapped by the nitroxide.

Twofold reactivity of 1,2-disubstituted dihydro-n-heteroaromatic systems. 10. Synthesis and aromatization of ferrocene-containing hantzsch esters

1-Ferrocenylphenyl-4-aryl(furyl)-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydropyridines and 4-ferrocenyl-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydropyridines (Hantzsch esters) have been prepared, and their reactions with triphenylcarbenium and 1-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidinium perchlorate salts have been studied. Treatment with triphenylmethyl perchlorate results in oxidation of the ferrocenyl substituent to the ferrocenium cation, whereas treatment with the oxoammonium cation results in aromatization and the formation of salts containing a pyridinium cation and a neutral ferrocene ring. A 4-ferrocenyl-containing Hantzsch ester which was unsubstituted at the nitrogen atom constituted a single exception to this trend; it could be aromatized only upon treatment with sulfur.

Oxidation of nitroxide radicals by an iron-hydrogen peroxide-amino acid system

The oxidation of nitroxide radicals by the reaction of hemoglobin with hydrogen peroxide occurred using both FeSO 4 and amino acids instead of hemoglobin. Tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, methionine and cysteine in globin were connected with the formation of the oxoammonium cation. Of these amino acids, tyrosine was especially effective in its oxidation. It was found that both the binding of nitroxide radicals to ferric iron and the activation of amino acids by hydroxyl radicals were important in the radical oxidation.