Free-radical chemistry of cigarette smoke and its toxicological implications.
DF Church, WA Pryor - Environmental health perspectives, 1985 - ehp.niehs.nih.gov
Cigarette smoke contains two very different populations of free radicals, one in the tar and
one in the gas phase. The tar phase contains several relatively stable free radicals; we have
identified the principal radical as a quinone/hydroquinone (Q/QH2) complex held in the tarry
matrix. We suggest that this Q/QH2 polymer is an active redox system that is capable of
reducing molecular oxygen to produce superoxide, eventually leading to hydrogen peroxide
and hydroxyl radicals. In addition, we have shown that the principal radical in tar reacts with …
one in the gas phase. The tar phase contains several relatively stable free radicals; we have
identified the principal radical as a quinone/hydroquinone (Q/QH2) complex held in the tarry
matrix. We suggest that this Q/QH2 polymer is an active redox system that is capable of
reducing molecular oxygen to produce superoxide, eventually leading to hydrogen peroxide
and hydroxyl radicals. In addition, we have shown that the principal radical in tar reacts with …