Chemistry:Hydroperoxyl

Hydroperoxyl

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Hydroperoxyl
Systematic IUPAC name Dioxidanyl
Other names Peroxyl radical, hydrogen superoxide, hydrogen dioxide
Identifiers
CAS Number	3170-83-0 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:25935
ChemSpider	454055 Y
Gmelin Reference	506
PubChem CID	520535
InChI InChI=1S/HO2/c1-2/h1H Y Key: OUUQCZGPVNCOIJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
SMILES [O]O
Properties
Chemical formula	HO2
Molar mass	33.006 g·mol−1
Acidity (pKa)	4.88
Basicity (pKb)	9.12 (basicity of superoxide ion)
Conjugate base	Superoxide anion
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Tracking categories (test):

• SizeSet

The hydroperoxyl radical, also known as the hydrogen superoxide, is the protonated form of superoxide with the chemical formula HO₂, also written HOO^•. This species plays an important role in the atmosphere and as a reactive oxygen species in cell biology.

Structure and reactions

The molecule has a bent structure.

The superoxide anion, O−2, and the hydroperoxyl radical exist in equilibrium in aqueous solution:

O−2 + H₂O ⇌ HO₂ + OH⁻

The pK_a of HO₂ is 4.88. Therefore, about 0.3% of any superoxide present in the cytosol of a typical cell is in the protonated form.

It oxidizes nitric oxide to nitrogen dioxide:

NO + HO₂ → NO₂ + HO

Reactive oxygen species in biology

Together with its conjugate base superoxide, hydroperoxyl is an important reactive oxygen species. Unlike O−2, which has reducing properties, HO₂ can act as an oxidant in a number of biologically important reactions, such as the abstraction of hydrogen atoms from tocopherol and polyunstaturated fatty acids in the lipid bilayer. As such, it may be an important initiator of lipid peroxidation.

Importance for atmospheric chemistry

Gaseous hydroperoxyl is involved in reaction cycles that destroy stratospheric ozone. It is also present in the troposphere, where it is essentially a byproduct of the oxidation of carbon monoxide and of hydrocarbons by the hydroxyl radical.

Because dielectric constant has a strong effect on pK_a, and the dielectric constant of air is quite low, superoxide produced (photochemically) in the atmosphere is almost exclusively present as HO₂. As HO₂ is quite reactive, it acts as a "cleanser" of the atmosphere by degrading certain organic pollutants. As such, the chemistry of HO₂ is of considerable geochemical importance.