Abstract

Oxygen is essential for the existence of all forms of life since it is an important constituent of almost all biologically important compounds including DNA and serves as blood purifier. Simultaneously oxygen also induces a number of degradation processes through the generation of reactive oxygen species like superoxide radical anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide etc. The reactive oxygen species also cause serious health hazards. In this paper an attempt has been made to discuss various methods of generation of triplet oxygen, its reaction, its detrimental effects, and some protective measures to nullify the catastrophic effect of triplet oxygen.

Key words: Oxygen, molecular triplet oxygen, superoxide radical anion, singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide.