Synthesis and study of new phenolic antioxidants with nitroaromatic and heterocyclic substituents

New polyfunctional aromatic, nitroaromatic, and heterocyclic compounds linked to the 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol moiety via –NH–, –C(O)NH–, –S–, or–C=N– spacers were synthesized. These structures provide intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and exhibit antioxidant activity. The structures of the new compounds were established by X-ray diffraction. The novel compounds were evaluated for antioxidant activity using the DPPH assay. The presence of the 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl moiety in combination with the –NH– spacer leads to a considerable increase in the antioxidant activity of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenols. These compounds are also weak lipoxygenase inhibitors. The results of this study provide an opportunity to search for new types of antioxidants with ICT.