Synthesis of 7-hydroxy-4-oxo-4H-chromene- and 7-hydroxychroman-2-carboxylic acid N-alkyl amides and their antioxidant activities.

A series of 7-hydroxy-4-oxo-4H-chromene- (3a - h) and 7-hydroxychroman-2-carboxylic acid N-alkyl amides (4a - g) were synthesized and their antioxidant activities were evaluated. While compounds 3a - h were less active, compounds 4a - g exhibited more potent inhibition of lipid peroxidation initiated by Fe2+ and ascorbic acid in rat brain homogenates. Among them, 7-hydroxychroman-2-carboxylic acid N-alkylamides (4e - g) bearing nonyl, decyl, and undecyl side chain exhibited 3 times more potent inhibition than trolox (1).