Oxidation of Biological Molecules with Bicarbonate-activated Hydrogen Peroxide and the Decompostion of Hydrogen Peroxide Catal

of Thesis Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science OXIDATION OF BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES WITH BICARBONATEACTIVATED HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND THE DECOMPOSITION OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE CATALYZED BY MANGANESE(II) AND BICARBONATE By Michael S. Mitchell May 2004 Chair: David E. Richardson Major Department: Chemistry Most reactions involving hydrogen peroxide use catalysts. Manganese(II) can catalyze both oxidation reactions involving bicarbonate-activated hydrogen peroxide and the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of bicarbonate. The oxidation of biological molecules, such as guanosine monophosphate and amino acids, with bicarbonate–activated hydrogen peroxide is accelerated by addition of manganese(II). In the oxidation of the amino acids, the peptide is oxidized by two consecutive reactions, deamination followed by decarboxylation. Buffers have been shown to affect the rate, and bicarbonate/carbon dioxide and phosphate buffer were used to control pH. To obtain information of the mechanism of the oxidation reactions, decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of bicarbonate and manganese(II) has been examined. Certain buffers, such as phosphate and HEPES, reduce the rate of the