Understanding the fundamental chemical reactions between molecular oxygen and organic matter has piqued chemists' interest for many decades. This is not surprising since all matter on earth is continually bathed in an atmosphere rich in molecular oxygen. Therefore an understanding, on the molecular level, of the interaction between matter and oxygen is vital for a comprehensive understanding of the world we live in.

Although the presence of atmospheric oxygen is a necessary requirement for life, oxygen has recently been implicated as playing a contributing role in certain pathological conditions. Free radicals (or active oxygen) derived from the interaction of organic matter with molecular oxygen, participate in some of the most pernicious forms of chemical degradation such as aging, cancer, and neuronal atrophy.

Not surprisingly, oxygen derived damage to materials also has great commercial implications. The reactions of molecular oxygen have been implicated in the oxidative deterioration of petroleum distillates. Various electron-rich, aromatic, nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (such as pyrroles, indoles, and carbazoles) have been shown to react with molecular oxygen and cause degradation of petroleum products.

Our current efforts are directed at a detailed investigation of the reaction of molecular oxygen with various indole and carbazole derivatives. Identification of both the final oxidation products and reactive intermediates will be stressed. Also, interactive effects of various fuel components (organic acids, metals and sulfur compounds) on the course of heterocyclic oxidation will be examined.

The final phase of this study will involve the rational design of antioxidants that will minimize sediment formation during the oxidation of electron-rich aromatic nitrogen heterocycles in fuel.