The slow oxidation of n-heptane was studied at 230° in a static system.The influence of heptane and oxygen pressures on the reaction sates was examined.The results show that maximum reaction rates increases with the pressure of heptane but do not depend on the pressure of oxygen,unless the latter is less than 50 mm Hg.Two different types of p-t curves have been found: The first type which occurs when p_RH:p_O2>0.2,is characterized by no change of pressure at the beginning of the reaction.The second type which occurs when p_RH: p_O2<0.2,starts with a pressure drop.The amount of total aldehydes,hydrogen peroxides,total organic peroxides,and total organic acids in the system were determined analytically at various times.The particular influence of peroxides on the reaction was examined by pumping the reaction mixture into a mercury reservoir to partially destroy the peroxides,and then introducing the reaction mixtures back to the reaction vessel.A great decrease of reaction rate was observed,indicating that the peroxides function as degenerate-branching agent.It was observed that the reaction was inhibited by its reaction products.