Reactive oxygen species reactions, overview

An overview of die free radicals and reactions thereof is presented. Free radicals are atoms or groups having an unpaired electron and hence are paramagnetic. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and trapping methods are used to analyze radicals. In lipids, radical reactions lead to autoxidation and hence flavor reversion. Reactive oxygen species are key components involved in such reactions. Finally, descriptions for phenolic, sequesterant and enzymatic antioxidants and their mode of action are provided. 

The reactions leading to the transformation of organic compounds in the atmosphere are primarily oxidations their rates are governed by the reactivities of the various classes of organic substances toward the oxidants (typically reactive oxygen-containing species) present. The majority of these oxygenated forms and the mechanisms of their reactions are discussed in detail in Chapter 4. Only an overview will be presented in this section. 

A review of recent advances in transition-metal-catalysed oxidations by molecular oxygen has highlighted the scope and limitations, as well as the meehanisms of these reactions. " " An overview of the fundamental studies on a new method of synthesis of nicotinic acid by the gas-phase catalytic oxidation of -picoline by oxygen has been presented. The reactivity of vanadium species has been considered in order to discover the nature of the active catalyst. Kinetic equations for -picoline oxidation on vanadia-titania catalysts have been discussed. " The effect of quaternary ammonium salts or macrocyclic ethers on the autoxidation of ethylbenzene or the decomposition of the a-phenylethyl hydroperoxide intermediate catalysed by Ni(II) or Fe(III) acetylacetonates has been reviewed. ... 

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