The Haber–Weiss cycle consists of the following two reactions:
H2O2 + OH·
H2O + O2− + H+ and
H2O2 + O2−O2 + OH− + OH· The second reaction achieved notoriety as a possible source of hydroxyl radicals. However, it has a negligible rate constant. It is believed that iron(III) complexes can catalyse this reaction: first, Fe(III) is reduced by superoxide, followed by oxidation by dihydrogen peroxide.
See also: Fenton reaction
Source:
PAC, 1997, 69, 1251. 'Glossary of terms used in bioinorganic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1997)' on page 1277 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199769061251)