Fenton reaction - Controversy concerning the chemistry

There is something intriguing and at the same time fascinating that a simple reaction (of Fe ²⁺ ions with H ₂O ₂), which was observed by H.J.H. Fenton over 110 years ago, proves to be very difficult to describe and understand. As yet the nature of the oxidizing species obtained in Fenton reaction is still a subject of deliberation, which may be explained by the fact that it is very common in both chemical and biological systems and in natural environment. It is a paradox that the Fenton reaction is successfully used in environmental protection (for example in wastewater treatment and remediation of groundwater) and it is thought to be a factor, which causes damage to biomolecules and plays a major role in the aging process and a variety of diseases. This article presents a short review on radical and non-radical mechanisms of the Fenton reaction postulated in literature, possible reaction pathways as well as various points of view in this field.