Reaction of Methæmoglobin with Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract

IT was previously shown^1,2 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.