Generation of Hydroxyl Radicals from Polymer Containing Reducing Sugar Branches in the Presence of Hydrogen Peroxide

The generation of hydroxyl radicals from poly (6-O-vinyladipoyl-D-glucose) [poly(VAG) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide was detected by oxidation of p-nitrosodimethylaniline (p-NDA). Several hydroxyl radical scavengers inhibited the reaction, but inhibition by superoxide dismutase (SOD) was low. This suggests that hydroxyl radicals from Harber-Weiss reaction made relatively small contributions to this reaction, and that the enediol moiety of reducing sugar branches in poly(VAG) reacted with hydrogen peroxide to produce hydroxyl radicals. The polymer degraded to a low molecular weight material after reaction with hydrogen peroxide.