Does peroxynitrite partition between aqueous and gas phases? Implication for lipid peroxidation

Relative reactivity of alkane and alkylbenzene oxidation by peroxynitrite has been determined in acidic aqueous solutions. The observed data are explained assuming that the reaction simultaneously proceeds in both the gas and the liquid phases. The selectivity in the gas phase was found to be very similar to that of discrete hydroxyl radicals. The ability of peroxynitrite to react with organic substrates in the gas phase suggests that similar processes may occur in lipophilic media. The reaction mechanism and implication for lipid peroxidation are discussed.