Horseradish peroxidase-catalysed oxidation of aromatic tertiary amines with hydrogen peroxide

Abstract
The horseradish peroxidase-catalysed oxidation of aromatic tertiary amines with hydrogen peroxide leads to a secondary amine and an aldehyde. With alkylmethylanilines demethylation is preferred to dealkylation. Evidence is given for the coexistence of the usual peroxidation reaction and a free radical chain reaction which depends upon oxygen concentration.