The reaction of ferrimyoglobin with methylhydroperoxide
Abstract
Methylhydroperoxide reacts with ferrimyoglobin in an irreversible reaction. In the course of the reaction two intermediates are formed in two consecutive steps. The experimental data are consistent with a mechanism in which MeOOH is dehydrated catalytically by ferrimyoglobin to yield CH2O. MeOH is not formed in the system, even as a transient. The relative rate constants of the reaction have been evaluated: k1= 1 dm3 mol–1 s–1. k2= 2.23 × 10–4 s–1 and k3= 4.0 × 10–6 s–1. The molar absorptivities of the intermediates have been determined at λ= 549 nm: εI= 1.75 × 104 dm3 mol–1 cm–1 and εII= 6.32 × 103 dm3 mol–1 cm–1.