Haber-Weiss reaction

The Haber-Weiss reaction generates •OH (hydroxyl radicals) from H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) and superoxide (•O2-). This reaction can occur in cells and is therefore a possible source for oxidative stress. The reaction is very slow, but is catalyzed by iron. The first step of the catalytic cycle involves reduction of ferric ion to ferrous:
 * Fe3+ +  •O2−   →   Fe2+  +  O2

The second step is the Fenton reaction:
 * Fe2+ +  H2O2   →   Fe3+  +  OH−  +  •OH

Net reaction:
 * •O2- + H2O2  →   •OH + HO- + O2

The reaction is named after Fritz Haber and his student Joseph Weiss.