Computational evaluation of the oxidation of superoxide to molecular dioxygen mediated by NNNN-tetradentate copper complexes.

Free radicals such as superoxide are reactive species that, upon accumulation, lead to oxidative stress. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme mitigates this stress by converting superoxide into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. However, the probable lack of SOD supplementation has driven the search for alternatives, with copper complexes emerging as promising candidates.