Abstract
In order to study the damaging or beneficial properties of bromine atom-free radical, reaction of the free radical (Br-center dot) with some biologically important compounds were investigated. Br-center dot was generated through electrochemical oxidation of bromide ion (Br-). First the reactivity of Br-center dot atom-free radical vis a vis its dimerization to form Br-2, was studied using cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry. Through these techniques it was ascertained that the substrates understudy and the under experimental conditions used, underwent reactions with Br-center dot and not with dibromine (Br-2). The monitoring of the reactions of Br-center dot with glycine and cytosine led us to conclude that whereas cytosine reacted with Br-center dot as simple chemical reaction (EC mechanism), glycine underwent a catalytic reaction (EC' mechanism).