Kinetics and mechanism of NO production in the Ru(III)-(edta) mediated oxidation of L-arginine with H(2)O(2)

The kinetics of the Ru(III)-(edta) (edta(4-) = ethylenediaminetetraacetate) catalyzed oxidation of l-arginine by H(2)O(2) mimicking the action of nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) has been studied spectrophotometrically. The time course of the reaction of Ru(V)(edta)O](-) with l-arginine was followed at 390 nm under catalytic turn-over conditions. Formation of NO in the reacting system has been confirmed with an isolated nitric oxide free radical analyzer. A detailed reaction mechanism in agreement with the spectral and kinetic data is presented.