Hemoglobin Is Not a Biological Fenton Reagent

Hemoglobin has been reported to be a biological Fenton reagent, as a consequence of oxidations believed to be produced by hydroxyl radicals. These hydroxyl radicals were thought to be generated from the reaction of hemoglobin with hydrogen peroxide. However, the oxidations that were observed were in fact due to the generation of a strongly oxidizing iron (IV) ferryl species, and not due to hydroxyl radicals. (First online: March 1, 2022)