Speaker: Sverre Løyland
Title: On the hunt for short-lived high-valent iron-oxo species
Abstract: In this talk, I will discuss reactive oxygen species (ROS), high-valent iron-oxo species (FeIV/V/VIO), the Fenton reagent and how they relate to each other. ROS are ubiquitous to degradation processes, and better understanding of their formation and reactivity is important for e.g. greener treatment of wastewater. One such treatment process is by using the Fenton reagent where hydrogen peroxide is mixed with a catalytic amount of iron salt. Although the Fenton reagent was invented more than 120 years ago, it is still not well understood. The mixture is highly oxidizing, and its reactivity has usually been attributed to transient hydroxyl radicals. However, there has been a long, inconclusive discussion about the existence and role of high-valent iron-oxo species in the reaction. I will take a closer look at the Fenton reagent and explain how I look for the elusive high-valent iron-oxo species using mass spectrometry.
Due to the present situation with the COVID-19 virus, seminars will be shared between Oslo and Tromsø by using the Zoom virtual meeting system.