Irreversible binding of carbon tetrachloride to microsomal phospholipids. Free radical nature of the reactive specie and alterations in the physico-chemical properties of the target fatty acids.

Thin layer and gas liquid chromatographic analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters derived from liver microsomal phosphatidylcholine from animals treated with 14CC1-4 revealed a very similar composition to that observed during the analysis of the reaction products arised by the in vitro benzoyl peroxide initiated CC1-4 chemical addition to double bonds of fatty acid methyl esters or to fatty acids in phospholipids later transformed to methyl esters. The well known CC1-3 free radical nature of this in vitro chemical reaction gives support to the possibility for a CC1-3 free radical formation in vivo.