Formation of hydroxyl radicals on reaction of hypochlorous acid with ferrocyanide, a model iron(II) complex.

Hypochlorous acid reacts with the model iron(II) complex, ferrocyanide (Fe(CN)6(4-)) in aqueous solution with the rate constant 220 +/- 15 dm3 mol-1 s-1. Free hydroxyl radicals are formed in this reaction in 27% yield as shown by the hydroxylation of benzoate to give a product distribution identical to that of free (radiolytically generated) hydroxyl radicals. This reaction is three orders of magnitude faster than the analogous reaction involving hydrogen peroxide (the Fenton reaction), suggesting that the hypochlorous acid generated by activated neutrophils may be a source of hydroxyl radicals.