Abstract
Autooxidation of ascorbic acid is initiated by dehydrogenation of the hydroxyl groups coupled to the 2- and 3-C atoms. The difference between the highest occupied energy and the lowest occupied energy becomes close when 60 atom and 70 atom coupled to the 1- and 2-C atoms form anion radicals and ring opening of the endiol group becomes difficult. The electron affinity of 4-C atom increases remarkably when double bond forms between 60 atom and 70 atom coupled to the 1- and 2-C atoms and the ring of the endiol group breaks. After this, decomposition progresses toward the direction of stable nuclear configuration.
