Abstract
1. Ethyl[14C]benzene hydroperoxide administered orally to female rats (30 mg/kg) is rapidly absorbed and metabolized. Most of the administered compound (81%) is eliminated in the 0–24 h urine.
2. Major metabolites include mandelic acid(23%), hippuric acid (34%) and 1-phenylethyl glucuronide (4%).
3. Ethyl[14C]benzene is metabolized via 1-phenylethanol to the same mixture of metabolites as obtained with the hydroperoxide.
4. Biotransformations of the hydroperoxide and their likely biochemical mechanisms are discussed.