264 



L. A. NIKOI.AEV 



esters, peptides, acid amides, heterocyclic compounds (pyridine, picoline, 

 piperidine) and primary and secondary amines of the methane series and their 

 hydroxyl, methoxyl and phenyl derivatives, diamines and their derivatives, 

 biuret, triuret and several proteins. We investigated models having the func- 

 tions of catalases, oxidases and dehydrases and, in the course of this, specially 

 great attention was paid to the catalase-likc function of the copper ion [5]. 



By studying the catalase activity of pure copper wire (with a known surface), 

 the oxidized surface of the wire and complex copper compounds, we had the 

 possibility of comparing the approximate degree of activity' of the copper ion 

 in the metallic and oxide latices with its activity in solution in the form of various 

 complex ions (Table i). 



Table i 

 The catalase-like activity of copper compounds 



In spite of the approximate nature of some of the figures the table supports 

 the idea that a considerable degree of activation is achieved by complex 

 formation. 



It must be added that, in many cases, the integration of metallic ions in 

 crystalHne salts leads to a complete loss of activity. Fig. i shows the course of 

 the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in a saturated solution of copper 

 sulphate. Some time after the beginning of the reaction crystals of copper 



8 



10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 

 min 

 Fig. I. The decomposition of HjOo in a saturated solution of copper sulphate. 

 At the time indicated by the arrow crystals of CuSO.i,5H20 were added to the 



solution. 



^o, = Volume of oxygen evolved (ml). 



