Autoxidations of cis,cis, cis,trans, and trans,trans nonconjugated octaclecadienoates and pentadecadienes were carried out in the presence of a.-tocopherol to investigate the effect of olefin geometry on this oxidation process and provide insight into the factors that influence the autoxidation of fatty acids. We have found that as the trans character of the diene increases, the amount of O-2 trapping at the central (bis-allylic) position of the pentadienyl radical also increases. In addition, the rate constant for beta-fragmentation (k(beta) approximate to 10(6) s(-1)) of the bis-allylic peroxyl radical decreased on going from the cis,cis to the trans,trans diene. We have also found that for the cis,trans nonconjugated dienes, there is a preference for trapping of the pentadienyl radical by O-2 at the transoid end, generating the cis,trans conjugated hydroperoxide as the major product.