Comparative QSAR: On the toxicology of the phenolic OH moiety

In this report we consider the effect of substituents on phenol toxicity an d show how the parameters used in Quantitative Structure-Activity Relations hips (QSAR) can be used to draw mechanistic inferences of value in understa nding the reasons behind the various types of toxicity. In particular, we a re interested in gaining clearer insight into mechanisms via the Hammett-ty pe parameters sigma, sigma (-), sigma (+) and octanol/water partition coeff icients. Particular attention is given to the role of radical reactions and their role in attacking DNA to cause cancer or estrogenic toxicity.