Halogenations of organic compounds by free halogens (F2, Cl2, Br2, and sometimes I2) is generally favorable process. It is practiced industrially on a large scale for example. In nature, however, free halogens do not exist in appreciable amounts. The combination of hydrogen peroxide, which is widely produced by aerobic life, and halide anionsCl−, Br−, I− provides the equivalent of Cl2, Br2, I2. The oxidation of these anions by hydrogen peroxide is slow in the absence of enzymes. These enzymes are called haloperoxidases. The reaction that they catalyze is:
X− + H2O2 + H+ + R−H → X + 2 H2O + R−X
From the perspective of thermodynamics, the Nernst equation confirms that hydrogen peroxide can oxidize chloride (E°= 1.36 V), bromide (E°= 1.09 V), and iodide (E°= 0.536 V) from a thermodynamic perspective under natural conditions, i.e., a temperature range of about 0–30 °C and a pH ranging from about 3 (humic soil layer) to about 8 (sea water). Fluoride (E°= 2.87 V) cannot be oxidized by hydrogen peroxide.
Classification
The table shows the classification of haloperoxidases according to the halides whose oxidation they are able to catalyze.
The classification of these enzymes by substrate-usability does not necessarily indicate enzyme substrate preference. For example, although eosinophil peroxidase is able to oxidize chloride, it preferentially oxidizes bromide.[3]
A specific vanadium bromoperoxidase in marine organisms (fungi, bacteria, microalgae, perhaps other eukaryotes) uses vanadate and hydrogen peroxide to brominate electrophilic organics.[5]
Murex snails have a bromoperoxidase used to produce Tyrian purple dye. The enzyme is very specific to bromide and physically stable, but has not been characterized as to its active site.
^S.L. Neidleman, J. Geigert (1986) Biohalogenation - principles, basic roles and applications; Ellis Horwood Ltd Publishers; Chichester; ISBN0-85312-984-3
^Vaillancourt, Frédéric H.; Yeh, Ellen; Vosburg, David A.; Garneau-Tsodikova, Sylvie; Walsh, Christopher T. (2006). "Nature's Inventory of Halogenation Catalysts: Oxidative Strategies Predominate". Chemical Reviews. 106 (8): 3364–3378. doi:10.1021/cr050313i. PMID16895332.
^[1]Archived 2009-05-26 at the Wayback Machine Eosinophils preferentially use bromide to generate halogenating agents - Mayeno et al. 264 (10): 5660 - Journal of Biological Chemistry
^[2]
Role of Heme-Protein Covalent Bonds in Mammalian Peroxidases