Catalytic activity of copper bisthiosemicarbazonates in certain model reactions of oxidation of biological substrates

1. A study has been made of the catalytic activity of a series of copper complexes with bisthiosemicarbazones in reactions of cysteine and hydroquinone oxidation. 2. In the example of the copper complex of 3-ethoxy-2-oxobutyraldehyde bisthiosemicarba zone, a mechanism has been proposed for the catalytic effect of these complexes in the reaction of cysteine oxidation. 3. The previously advanced hypothesis of the possible catalytic nature of the biological activity of copper(II) bisthiosemicarbazonates has been confirmed.