Abstract
IT was recently found that the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by ferric ions, and by enzymes containing haemin groups follow closely related paths1. This analogy can be extended to the oxidation of ethanol by a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ferric salts. The experimental data of Walton and Christensen2 provide evidence that ethanol is oxidized by the secondary hydrogen peroxide-ferric ion complex. A similar mechanism for peroxidase action was derived by Chance3.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Kremer, L. M., and Stein, G., Trans. Farad. Soc., 55, 959 (1959).
Walton and Christensen, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 48, 2083 (1926).
Chance, B., Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 22, 224 (1949).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
KREMER, M. Oxidation of Ethyl Alcohol by a Mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide and Ferric Salts. Nature 184, 720 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1038/184720b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/184720b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.