Antioxidant Activity of Diatomic Phenols

Nine compounds are studied for antioxidant activity, including those from the class of catecholamines containing 3,4-hydroxyphenyl (catechol) as a common structural fragment, which imparts antioxidant properties to the compounds in the reactions of hydrocarbon substrate oxidation. The antiradical activity is determined by the chemiluminescent method by the interception of peroxyl radicals in the model reaction of the initiated oxidation of ethylbenzene (RH). The mechanism of the inhibition of chain oxidation processes by diatomic phenol compounds is provided by the presence of two active hydroxy groups with a possible intramolecular hydrogen bond, leading to a weakening of the О–Н bond and a high rate constant of hydrogen abstraction in the reaction with peroxyl radicals (k(inh)). This reaction is dominant and determines the inhibitory activity of antioxidants in oxidation processes. The maximum inhibitory activity is shown by 3,5- and 3,6-di-tert-butylpyrocatechins, dopamine, and epicatechin.