Synthetic derivatives of abietic acid with radical scavenging activity

In this work, studies on the arylation of anilines derived from dehydroabie tic acid, the main component of disproportionated rosin, are presented. The redox properties of the new diarylamines were investigated by cyclic volta mmetry, and their free radical scavenging activity was tested by reduction of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Three of the diarylami nes with lower oxidation potential proved to be as active as isopropyldiphe nylamine (IPPD) and superior to tert-butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), both commer cially available synthetic antioxidants.