Oxidation of sterols: Energetics of C-H and O-H bond cleavage

► Phytosterols, components of functional foods, may act as antioxidants. ► The study of Δ5- and Δ7-sterols oxidation. ► Calculation of C-H and O-H bond dissociation enthalpies. ► Thermodynamically favored oxidation attack sites determined. ► Δ7-Sterols more susceptible to oxidation attack than Δ5-sterols.