Autoxidation is any
oxidation that occurs in open air or in presence of
oxygen (and sometimes
UV radiation) and forms
peroxides and
hydroperoxides. A classic example of autoxidation is that of simple
ethers like
diethyl ether, whose peroxides can be dangerously explosive. It can be considered to be a slow,
flameless combustion of materials by reaction with oxygen. Autoxidation is important because it is a useful reaction for converting compounds to oxygenated derivatives, and also because it occurs in situations where it is not desired (as in the destructive cracking of the rubber in automobile tires or in
rancidification).