THE REDUCTION OF CYTOCHROMEcBY HYDROQUINONE

The kinetics of reduction of ferricytochrome c by hydroquinone have been studied. The reaction does not conform to a simple second-order rate equation and it is demonstrated that the deviations are brought about by the presence of p-quinone, one of the products of the reaction. The accelerating effect of p-quinone is explained tentatively on the basis of an involvement of the semi-quinone. The effects on the reaction of pH, ionic strength, and temperature are reported and used to suggest features of the reaction mechanism.