Reaction of a copper(ii)–nitrosyl complex with hydrogen peroxide: putative formation of a copper(i)–peroxynitrite intermediate

Abstract

The reaction of a Cu(II)–nitrosyl complex (1) with hydrogen peroxide at −20 °C in acetonitrile results in the formation of the corresponding Cu(I)–peroxynitrite intermediate. The reduction of the Cu(II) center was monitored by UV-visible spectroscopic studies. Formation of the peroxynitrite intermediate has been confirmed by its characteristic phenol ring nitration reaction as well as isolation of corresponding Cu(I)–nitrate (2). On air oxidation, 2 resulted in the corresponding Cu(II)–nitrate (3). Thus, these results demonstrate a possible decomposition pathway for H₂O₂ and NO through the formation of a peroxynitrite intermediate in biological systems.