ChemInform Abstract: Nonbranched-Chain Oxidation: Low-Reactive RO·4and HO·41:2 Adduct Radicals Shortening Kinetic Chains

What is it about?

Oxygen as Oxidant and Antioxidant or Antioxidant Properties of Oxygen

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Why is it important?

In such reaction systems consisting of saturated and unsaturated components, the unsaturated compound (in this case the O2 ) is both a reactant and an autoinhibitor, specifically, a source of low-reactive free radicals (in this case the RO4• or HO4• radicals) shortening kinetic chains. The progressive inhibition of the nonbranched-chain processes, which takes place as the concentration of the unsaturated compound is raised (after the maximum process rate is reached), can be an element of the self-regulation of the natural processes that returns them to the stable steady state. Possible nonchain pathways of the free-radical oxidation of hydrogen and the routes of ozone decay from the energetic standpoint via the reaction with the hydroxyl free radical in the upper atmosphere (including the addition yielding the hydrotetraoxyl free radical, which can be an intermediate in the sequence of conversions of biologically hazardous UV radiation energy) were examined.