Thiyl free radicals and the oxidation of ferrocytochrome c. Direct observation of coupled hydrogen-atom- and electron-transfer reactions.

Absolute rate constants for the reaction of ferrocytochrome c with the thiyl radicals derived from cysteine, GSH, penicillamine and N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine were measured by using the technique of pulse radiolysis. The reaction is believed to occur through a one-electron-transfer process, in agreement with the hypothesis that thiols may act as catalysts linking hydrogen-atom- and electron-transfer reactions.