Hydrogen peroxide production via a redox reaction of N,N'-dimethyl-2,6-diaza-9,10-anthraquinonediium by addition of bisulfite.

We demonstrate that bisulfite can be used for reduction of a highly electrophilic anthraquinone derivative, N,N-dimethyl-2,6-diaza-9,10-anthraquinonediium (DAAQ), and subsequent autoxidation generates an equivalent of hydrogen peroxide. The mechanism for DAAQ reduction by bisulfite, DAAQ electrochemistry, and use of a simple test strip assay for H2O2, are described.