Abstract
The review considers studies of the chemical and biochemical processes with participation of the oxygen radical-anion $\mathrm{O}_2^{\stackrel{\cdot}{-}}$ and its principal physicochemical characteristics. Methods for the preparation of $\mathrm{O}_2^{\stackrel{\cdot}{-}}$ in aqueous and aprotic media, are examined as are protonation, nucleophilic substitution and oxidation-reduction reactions involving this species, the formation of $\mathrm{O}_2^{\stackrel{\cdot}{-}}$ in enzymatic processes and in photosynthesis, the role of $\mathrm{O}_2^{\stackrel{\cdot}{-}}$ in the oxygenation of haems, phagocytosis, pathological processes, the toxic effect of oxygen etc.
The bibliography includes 675 references.