Kinetics and Mechanism of Bilirubin Oxidation by Benzoyl Peroxide in Dimethyl Sulfoxide

Abstract

The kinetics of the redox reaction of bilirubin by the action of benzoyl peroxide in dimethyl sulfoxide was analyzed. It is shown that the first reaction product is biliverdin, which oxidizes to purpurin and further to choletelin. The kinetic and activation parameters of the oxidation reactions were obtained. A kinetic model of the process was proposed. An assumed route of the reaction is related to the exchange interaction of CH protons of methylene and methine spacers with free radicals in the rate‐limiting step with the further destruction of the “ridge‐tile” pigment conformation. The mechanism steps are confirmed by quantum‐chemical calculations and HPLC. It is found that in organic solvents the end products of bilirubin oxidation are not monopyrrolic derivatives. The data obtained will be useful in constructing antioxidant action models of the pigment.