Woodall et al. also proposed
Reaction 15 as a mechanism by which beta,beta-carotene
might reactwith peroxyl radicals, postulating that the allylic C-4
position of the molecule might be the site of attack. This hypothesis
was based on electron density calculations and UV-vis
and mass spectrophotometry results produced during the reaction
of beta,beta-carotene with AIBN radicals in the presence of
methanol (Woodall et al., 1997). Mortensen and Skibsted also
proposed this mechanism as well as adduct formation as possible
means by which alkyl, alkoxyl and alkylperoxyl radicals
might react with beta-carotene