Functional model oxygenations by nonheme iron complexes - Advances in Catalytic Activation of Dioxygen by Metal Complexes - page 191

4.4 Functional Model Oxygenations by Mono-Iron Species
4.4.1 Oxygenation by Mono-Iron Complex/Activated Oxygen System
Since Fenton first used a mixture of and hydrogen peroxide in 1894, 264
the combination of the chemicals has been used as the powerful oxidizing reagents.
However, the mechanism and the key intermediates in the Fenton chemistry are still
under great discussions. 265, 266 The chemistry is not so simple as explained by a free
hydroxy radical as proposed by Haber and Weiss in 1930s. 267, 268 Mechanism
of the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by nonheme Fe(II) complexes
was studied in comparison with that of the heme system involving an oxoiron(IV) or
ferryl species (Scheme 5) or that of a Fenton-like nonheme system involving the free
hydroxyl radical (Scheme 6).