In the following mechanism for the synthesis of T3 (triiodothyronine) on thyroglobulin, what are the factors causing the last step to occur? Does it have something to do with the electron density of the intermediate and/or bond strength? (NB thyroperoxidase abstracts the electrons in the first step so I don't know if it's involved much in the last step)
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
-
$\begingroup$ Aromatization might be the driving force? In that case, wouldn't the arrows point in the opposite direction to give the final methylene group on the enzyme? $\endgroup$ – snurden Feb 21 '16 at 10:56
-
$\begingroup$ I would think so but this is just how they've drawn it. Could you explain how aromatisation drives this change? $\endgroup$ – James Harrison Feb 21 '16 at 11:03
