The Fenton reaction converts hydrogen peroxide into which reactive species?

The Fenton reaction converts hydrogen peroxide into which reactive species?

• A. Superoxide
• B. Hydrogen peroxide
• C. Singlet oxygen
• D. Hydroxyl radical

Answer: (D)

The Fenton reaction uses ferrous iron to convert hydrogen peroxide into a highly reactive hydroxyl radical. In this reaction, Fe2+ donates an electron to H2O2, forming Fe3+, a hydroxide ion, and the hydroxyl radical (OH•). This radical is extremely reactive and short-lived, capable of damaging nearby biomolecules. Other options aren’t produced by this process: superoxide results from different one-electron reductions of oxygen, hydrogen peroxide is the starting substrate in this reaction, and singlet oxygen forms in photosensitized or energy-transfer reactions, not in the Fenton chemistry.

The Fenton reaction uses ferrous iron to convert hydrogen peroxide into a highly reactive hydroxyl radical. In this reaction, Fe2+ donates an electron to H2O2, forming Fe3+, a hydroxide ion, and the hydroxyl radical (OH•). This radical is extremely reactive and short-lived, capable of damaging nearby biomolecules. Other options aren’t produced by this process: superoxide results from different one-electron reductions of oxygen, hydrogen peroxide is the starting substrate in this reaction, and singlet oxygen forms in photosensitized or energy-transfer reactions, not in the Fenton chemistry.