Reaction of NO with Oxyhemoglobin and Oxymyoglobin

Overall bonding hetne (arrows indicaltr electron flow) 

FIGURE 9 Molecular orbitals involved in NO binding to a metal center. 

Although unsubstantiated, it has been proposed that the formation of NOi via reaction (22) occurs through initial formation of OONO (analogous to the previously discussed reaction of NO with Oi) (Doyle and Hoekstra, 

The conversion of oxyhemoglobin or oxymyoglobin by NO to methe-moglobin or metmyoglobin is fast, and serves as the basis of an often utilized spectroscopic assay for NO. 

This discussion of NO chemistry has addressed only certain aspects that may be of biological relevance. It is not meant to be a comprehensive in-depth treatment of general NO chemistry. For more information regarding the chemistry of NO and related nitrogen oxides, the reader is referred to a number of reviews (Ragsdale, 1973 Schwartz and White, 1983 Vosper, 1975 McCleverty, 1979 Gilbert and Thomas, 1972 Bonner and Hughes, 

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