Chemistry of lipid peroxidation.

The free radical chemistry of lipid peroxidation is complex. The classical mechanism of autoxidation involving a peroxy radical abstracting hydrogen atom from lipid and oxygen addition to the carbon radical thus formed must be modified to include (1) peroxy radical beta fragmentation and (2) peroxy radical cyclization. A host of diene hydroperoxides, cyclic peroxides, bicyclic peroxides and epoxy alcohols may be formed in free fatty acid or phospholipid autoxidation. The distribution of products and the effects of hydrogen atom donors on product distribution are understandable by referring to a general scheme for autoxidation described in Scheme III and in Ref. 10.