Phenols as Sources of Radicals in Biochemical Systems

The principal radical products of the initial stages of the autoxidation of phenols in polar media are examined. Attention is concentrated on the characteristics of superoxide radicals in connection with their toxic properties and important role in certain biochemical processes. The possible contribution of the radical products of the autoxidation of phenols to the mechanism of their antitumour activity is discussed.
The bibliography includes 209 references.