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5.1.10. The
Fenton
chemistry
A simple method for applying ORD to a polymer in solution is to add hydrogen
peroxide (H
2
O
2
) together with trace amounts of FeSO
4
(Fenton reagent) or
ascorbic acid. The reaction starts momentarily.
Fe
2+
+ H
2
O
2
= Fe
3+
+ OH
-
+
.
OH
The reaction thus produces the hydroxyl radical, and also Fe
3+
, which is also
reactive. A series of reactions establish a steady state situation containing
both Fe
2+
and Fe
3+
. Hence, the reaction may be initiated using Fe
3+
For more details, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenton%27s_reagent
It can be terminated by adding catalase, which consumes unreacted peroxide.