Synthesis and antioxidant properties of organosulfur and organoselenium compounds derived from 5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole/thiadiazole-2-thiols

Abstract Organosulfur and organoselenium compounds were synthesized in good yields through reaction with 5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazole/thiadiazole-2-thiols and α-chloromethyl arylselenides or 4-(chloromethyl)-2-methylthiazole/2-(chloromethyl)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole. The obtained compounds were characterized by NMR and mass spectroscopy and screened for in vitro antioxidant activity as reflected by free radical scavenging against 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reduction of molybdenum (VI) to molybdenum (V). The compounds have significant antioxidant properties in both applied methodologies.