“…Paraffinic hydrocarbons, which have C-C and C-H bonds that mimic those in petroleum base oils, are excellent model reactants. Many studies have focused on the oxidation of simple hydrocarbons to elucidate reaction pathways, kinetics, and mechanisms (e.g., Garcia-Ochoa et al, 1989;Lee et al, 1987; Brown and Fish, 1969; Van Sickle, 1972; Van Sickle et al, 1973; Suresh et al, 1988;Mill et al, 1972; Korcek et al, 1972;Jensen et al, 1979Jensen et al, ,1981; Hombek et al, 1989; Reddy et al, 1988; Hazlett et al, 1977). Much of this work, 0888-5885/92/2631-0069103.00/0 however, was limited to the initial stages of the oxidation, where the hydrocarbon concentration remains essentially constant and hydroperoxides are the major oxidation product.…”