Electron transfer in N-hydroxyurea complexes with iron(III)
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Preparation of 6-aminocyclohepta-2,4-dien-1-one Derivatives via Tricarbonyl(tropone)iron
Published on: August 12, 2019
Biljana Nigović1, Nikola Kujundzić, Kresimir Sanković
1Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. biljana@pharma.hr
Abstract:
Redox behaviour of the iron(III) complex with the antitumour drug hydroxyurea was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The complex underwent a one-electron reduction, followed by an irreversible chemical reaction (EC mechanism) in which a ligand was released. In addition, it was found that the hydroxyurea gave up an electron to iron(III) in solution. Differential-pulse voltammetry revealed an increase in the concentration of the generated iron(II) species. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy studies of the oxidative degradation of hydroxyurea confirmed formation of the radical species H2N-CO-NHO*. Electrochemical data for iron(III) complexes of hydroxyurea and its structural analogue 3-ethylhydroxyurea, which also exhibits antitumour activity, show the same mechanism involved in the electron transfer. The observed redox properties indicate that hydroxyurea may interfere with electron transfer processes in biological systems after binding to iron-containing ribonucleotide reductase.
Related Concept Videos
EDTA: Auxiliary Complexing Reagents
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
EDTA: Chemistry and Properties
Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV
Formation of Complex Ions
Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect
![Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F55858.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
