Cautionary note for DMPO spin trapping in the presence of iron ion.

2-Hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxy (DMPO-OH), which is known to be produced by spin trapping of hydroxyl radicals (.OH) with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) and has been a good monitor for detecting .OH in biological systems, has been examined by EPR for its production scheme in the presence of iron ion. In an aqueous DMPO solution containing ferric ion (Fe3+), DMPO-OH was produced and addition of methanol, a good scavenger for .OH, to this solution led to an aminoxyl radical, DMPO-OCH3, instead of DMPO-CH2OH which is produced by DMPO spin trapping of .CH2OH arising from H-abstraction by .OH. Also EPR measurements at 77K indicated the formation of a chelate between DMPO and Fe3+. Based on these, it has been elucidated that DMPO-OH as well as DMPO-OCH3 is formed by the nucleophilic attack of water and methanol to the chelating DMPO, respectively.