Synthesis and DPPH radical scavenging activity of prenylated phenol derivatives.

The synthesis of twenty six prenylated phenols derivatives is reported. These compounds were obtained under mild conditions via Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution (EAS) coupling reactions between phenol derivatives containing electron-donor subtituents and 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol using BF(3)×OEt(2). Dialkylations were also produced with this method. The formation of a chroman ring by intramolecular cyclization between a sp2 carbon from the prenyl group with the hydroxyl substituent in the ortho position occurred with some phenols. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated as antioxidants according to a DPPH radical scavenging activity assay. IC(50) values of five synthesized compounds indicated they were as good antioxidants as Trolox™.

1. Introduction

Prenylated phenols constitute an interesting group of marine natural products, for which a wide variety of biological activities have been described, including anti-inflammatory [1,2], antifungal [3], anti-HIV [4], anti-Alzheimer activity [5] and most frequently, antineoplastic properties [6,7]. ortho-Prenylated phenols play an important role in mediating many biological processes. For instance, prenylated ubiquinones are essential in cellular respiration [8]. Clearly, such an important structural motif needs a general strategy for its preparation, particularly for systems in which other aromatic hydroxyl residues are differentiated, as is often the case with therapeutic natural products containing this pharmacophore.

As a part of our ongoing interest in developing new and efficient antitumour agents, we recently reported the synthesis of two new hemisynthetic diterpenylhydroquinones from natural ent-labdanes by coupling between an arene nucleus and an allylic alcohol, which showed important activity in the inhibition of the growth of cancerigenous cells [9,10]. This kind of molecules are structural analogs of terpenylquinones and terpenylhydroquinones which are characteristic marine metabolites frequently isolated from alga and/or sponge [11,12].

Terpenylphenols are isolated from natural sources in very low yield, and for that reason during the last few decades, considerable research effort has been focused on obtaining these compounds by synthesis. The most recurrent strategies used for synthesizing these compounds involve, as a first step, the separate preparation of the appropriate terpenyl fragments and aromatic nucleus. The crucial step is the attachment of the aromatic synthon to the terpenyl skeleton [13]. There are many publications that report different methods for accomplishing these coupling reactions in the synthesis of prenylphenols, but the most interesting method for us is the Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution (EAS) reaction between a phenol and the corresponding prenol by using BF3·OEt2 because of its simplicity and mild reaction conditions [8,14].

Endogenous free radicals generated during body metabolism play an important role in the human health by causing several diseases including cancer, hypertension, heart attack and diabetes. Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is thought to play a central role in atherosclerosis. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as singlet oxygen, superoxide radicals, peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and peroxynitrite can react with critical cellular components such as DNA, lipids, and proteins leading to tissue injury and contributing to chronic diseases. In recent years much attention has been focused on the use of natural dietary antioxidants as an effective protection against diseases related to oxidative processes [15,16,17]. A series of prenylated phenols derivatives were synthesized and their antioxidant activities (DPPH radical scavenging activity) were evaluated.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Synthesis

The synthesis of prenylated phenols was carried out in one step via the EAS mechanism as shown in Scheme 1. The reaction of different phenols 1–6 with prenol in the presence of BF3 etherate in a 1:1 mixture of diethyl ether/CH2Cl2 produced prenylated phenols, dialkylated phenols and chromans in moderate yields (15–29%, 3–11%, 15–24% respectively). The higher yields were found in acetylation reactions from prenylated phenols (41–98%).

Scheme 1

Synthesis of prenylated phenols and their acetylated derivatives in two steps.

The structures of the monoalkylated and dialkylated phenols were mainly established by 1H, 13C, DEPT-135, gs-2D HSQC and gs-2D HMBC NMR techniques. The presence of aromatic signals in the 1H-NMR data spectra and their integration showed the positions of the alkylations with prenyl groups, i.e., the monoalkylated compound 9 showed a doublet at δ 6.92 (1H, J = 7.8 Hz, ArH-5), a doublet at δ 6.37 (1H, J = 8.1 Hz, ArH-6) and a singlet at δ 6.36 (1H, ArH-2) but the dialkylated compound 14 showed a singlet at δ 6.78 (1H, ArH-5) and a singlet at δ 6.33 (1H, ArH-2), confirming the substitution of the aromatic protons at H-4 and H-6 positions by prenyl groups.

It was found in results not shown that chromans were obtained mainly when equimolar amounts of catalyst were used with resorcinol (2) and hydroquinone (3) as starting material. Similar behavior was reported with other phenols [18]. The structural determination of the compounds 19 and 20 was mainly accomplished by 1H- and 13C-NMR data spectra. The 1H-NMR spectrum showed the existence of aliphatic protons at δ = 1.34 (19) and 1.32 (20), indicating the presence of two magnetically equivalent CH3 groups. Also two triplets at δ = 2.70 and 1.79 for 19; and δ = 2.69 and 1.76 for 20, indicating the existence of CH2 groups typical from chromans (C-3 and C-4). By-products were not obtained in acetylation reactions.

2.2. Antioxidant Activity

The results obtained from antioxidant activities assays are shown in Table 1. All compounds were compared with Trolox™. All acetylated compounds were inactive. The prenylated phenols 8, 10, 12, 15 and 17 have antioxidant similar to Trolox™. Dialkylated compounds largely display better activities than monoalkylated compounds for the same phenol.

Table 1

Screening results of DPPH radical scavenging activity of phenols 1–6 and prenylated phenols derivatives 8–33.

Compound	IC50μM ± SD	Compound	IC50μM ± SD
1	18.56 ± 1.55	18	45.36 ± 0.86
2	NA	19	NA
3	28.75 ± 2.46	20	35.63 ± 2.87
4	173.44 ± 5.12	21	NA
5	22.07 ± 0.02	22	NA
6	NA	23	NA
8	23.68 ± 0.34	24	NA
9	81.22 ± 4.75	25	NA
10	18.68 ± 1.48	26	NA
11	60.34 ± 3.04	27	NA
12	21.38 ± 1.80	28	NA
13	114.54 ± 3.02	29	NA
14	50.94 ± 4.29	30	NA
15	21.19 ± 1.39	31	NA
16	48.32 ± 1.14	32	NA
17	19.06 ± 1.69	33	NA
Trolox™	22.04 ± 2.11

Antioxidant activity are shown as IC50 values in µM concentrations; NA = no activity. All compounds were analyzed in triplicate and the results expressed as average ± standard deviation.

3. Experimental

3.1. General

All chemical reagents purchased (Merck or Aldrich) were of the highest commercially available purity and were used without previous purification. Melting points (mp: °C) were measured on a melting point apparatus Stuart-Scientific SMP3 and are uncorrected. IR spectra were recorded as a methylene chloride solution or KBr disk (compound 13) in a Thermo Scientific Nicolet 6700 FT-IR spectrometer and frequencies are reported in cm−1. Low resolution mass spectra were recorded on a Thermo Scientific, Trace GC Ultra, ISQ mass spectrometer at 70 eV ionizing voltage and are given as m/z (% rel. int.) and these were measured in acetylated derivatives only. 1H-, 13C-(DEPT 135 and DEPT 90), HSQC and 2D HMBC spectra were recorded in CDCl3 solutions and referenced to the residual peaks of CHCl3 at δ 7.26 ppm and δ 77.0 ppm for 1H and 13C, respectively, on a Bruker Avance 400 Digital NMR spectrometer, operating at 400.1 MHz for 1H and 100.6 MHz for 13C. Chemical shifts are reported in δ ppm and coupling constants (J) are given in Hz. Silica gel (Merck 200–300 mesh) was used for C.C. and silica gel plates HF-254 for TLC. TLC spots were detected by both under UV lamp and heating after spraying with 25% H2SO4 in H2O. Antioxidant determinations were performed in a Thermo Scientific Multiskan FC 96-well plate photometer.

3.2. General Procedure for Preparation of Prenylated Phenols

A solution of phenol (4.5 mmol) and 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol (7, 9.0 mmol) was placed in a round bottom flask and dissolved in dry 1:1 ethyl ether-dichloromethane (25 mL). Under nitrogen gas and with vigorous stirring, a solution of BF3 etherate (0.9 mmol) in dry 1:1 ethyl ether-dichloromethane (10 mL) was added dropwise to the solution cooled to 0–5 °C. Then the reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to room temperature and the stirring continued. After 48 h, milled ice was added to the reaction mixture and it was extracted with methylene chloride. Then, the organic layer was separated and a new extraction with ethyl acetate was done. The organic solutions obtained after extractions were mixed and dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and filtered, the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. After, the mixture was subjected to silica gel flash column chromatography (ethyl acetate, petroleum ether) to obtain pure products.

3.2.1. 1,4-Dihydroxy-2-methoxy-5-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (8)

Compound 8 was obtained from 2-methoxy-1,4-dihydroxybenzene (1) as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (80:20) as the mobile phase to afford the title compound as an orange solid (126 mg, 24%); mp: 102–103 °C; IR (solution): νmax 3210 (OH), 1621 (C=C aromatic), 1434, 1190; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.67 (s, 1H, ArH-6); 6.43 (s, 1H, ArH-3); 5.28 (br. t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H, CCHCH2); 5.13 (s, 1H, ArC-1-OH) 4.79 (s, 1H, ArC-4-OH); 3.43 (s, 3H, ArC-2-OCH3); 3.25 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, C=CHCH2); 1.77 [s, 6H, CHC(CH3)2]; 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 25.7 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 29.3 (CCHCH2-); 56.1 (CH3O-); 100.3 (ArCH-3); 115.3 (ArCH-6); 118.5 (ArC-5); 121.9 (C=CHCH2); 134.8 (C=CHCH2); 139.3 (ArC-1); 145.4 (ArC-2); 147.5 (ArC-4).

3.2.2. 1,3-Dihydroxy-4-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (9)

Compound 9 was obtained from resorcinol (2) as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (70:30) as the mobile phase to afford compound 9 as an orange semi-solid (186.4 mg, 23%); IR (solution): νmax 3362 (OH), 2968 (alkane C-H), 2912 (C-H alkane), 1604 (C=C aromatic), 1518, 1451, 1157; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.92 (d, 1H, J = 7.8 Hz, ArH-5); 6.37 (d, 1H, J = 8.1 Hz, ArH-6); 6.36 (s, 1H, ArH-2); 5.29 (br. t, J = 6.7 Hz, 1H, CCHCH2); 3.26 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H, C=CHCH2); 1.75 (s, 3H, CHCCH3CH3); 1.74 (s, 3H, CHCCH3CH3). 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.7 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 25.7 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 28.7 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 103.3 (ArC-2); 107.7 (ArC-6); 119.6 (ArC-4); 122.2 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 130.5 (ArC-5); 134.2 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 154.6 (ArC-1); 154.7 (ArC-3).

3.2.3. 1,4-Dihydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (10)

Compound 10 was obtained from hydroquinone (3) as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (80:20) as the mobile phase to afford compound 10 as colorless needles (165.8 mg, 21%); mp: 102–104 °C, lit. [19], 100–101 °C; IR (solution): νmax 3228 (OH), 1654 (C=C Aromatic), 1560, 1452, 1194; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.68 (d, 1H, J = 8.5 Hz, ArH-6); 6.61 (d, 1H, J = 3.0 Hz, ArH-3); 6.58 (dd, J = 8.4 and 3.0 Hz, 1H, ArH-5); 5.29 (br. t, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H, C=CHCH2); 3.29 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, C=CHCH2); 1.77 [s, 6H, CHC(CH3)2]; 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 25.8 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 29.7 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 113.7 (ArC-5); 116.4 (ArC-6); 116.6 (ArC-3); 121.4 ((CH3)2C=CHCH2); 128.2 (ArC-2); 134.9 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 148.1 (ArC-1); 149.3 (ArC-4).

3.2.4. 1,3-Dihydroxy-5-methyl-4-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (11)

Compound 11 was obtained from orcinol (4) as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (70:30) as the mobile phase to afford compound 11 as a reddish semi-solid (215.4 mg, 29%); IR (solution): νmax 3218 (OH), 2964 (C-H alkane), 2923 (C-H alkane), 1610 (C=C aromatic), 1474, 1318, 1142; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.26 (d, 1H, J = 2.0 Hz, ArH-2); 6.21 (d, 1H, J = 2.1 Hz, ArH-6); 5.14 (m, 2H, OH, C=CHCH2); 4.65 (s, 1H, OH) 3.28 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H, C=CHCH2); 2.23 (s, 3H, Ar-CH3); 1.80 (s, 3H, CH3CH3C=CH2-); 1.73 (s, 3H, CH3CH3C=CH2-); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.9 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 20.1 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 25.2 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 25.7 (Ar-CH3-5); 101.0 (ArCH-2); 109.7 (ArCH-6) 117.9 (ArC-4); 122.1 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 133.9 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 138.5 (ArC-5); 154.2 (ArC-1); 155.3 (ArC-3).

3.2.5. 1,2-Dihydroxy-4-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (12)

Compound 12 was obtained from pyrocatechol (5) as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (70:30) as the mobile phase to afford compound 12 as a colorless solid (201.9 mg, 25%); mp: 58–61 °C; IR (solution): νmax 3364 (OH), 2924 (C-H alkane), 2853 (C-H alkane), 1603 (C=C aromatic), 1518, 1452, 1376, 1280; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.77 (d, 1H, J = 8.1 Hz, ArH-6); 6.70 (d, 1H, J = 1.3 Hz, ArH-3); 6.61 (dd, 1H, J = 7.4 Hz and 1.2 Hz, ArH-5); 5.45 (s, 1H, OH) 5.37 (s, 1H, OH); 5.28 (br. t, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H, CCHCH2); 3.22 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H, C=CHCH2); 1.74 (s, 3H, CHCCH3CH3); 1.70 (s, 3H, CHCCH3CH3); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.7 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 25.7 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 33.5 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 115.4 (ArC-3); 115.5 (ArC-5); 120.7 (ArC-5); 123.3 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 132.4 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 135.1 (ArC-4); 141.3 (ArC-1); 143.4 (ArC-2).

3.2.6. 1,3,5-Trihydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (13)

Compound 13 was obtained from phloroglucinol (6) as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (45:55) as the mobile phase to afford compound 13 as a reddish semi-solid (117.3 mg, 15%); IR (KBr): νmax 3391 (OH), 2974 (C-H alkane), 2926 (C-H alkane), 1616 (C=C aromatic), 1517, 1465, 1375, 1284, 1230, 1144; 1H-NMR [(CD3)2CO]: 7.95 (s, 2H, Ar-1,3-OH) 5.93 (s, 2H, ArH-4,6); 5.24 (br. t, 1H, J = 7.1 Hz, C=CHCH2); 3.22 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H, C=CHCH2); 1.71 (s, 3H, CH3CH3C=CH2-); 1.60 (s, 3H, CH3CH3C=CH2-); 13C-NMR [(CD3)2CO]: 17.5 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 22.2 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 25.5 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 95.0 (ArCH-4,6); 106.9 (ArC-2); 125.0 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2-]; 129.5 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 156.6 (ArC-5); 157.0 ((ArC-1,3).

3.2.7. 1,3-Dihydroxy-4,6-di(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (14)

Compound 14 was a by-product from the reaction to obtain 9 and was isolated using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (70:30) as the mobile phase to afford compound 14 as a reddish oil (123.7 mg, 11%); IR (solution): νmax 3419 (OH), 2969, 2914, 2857 (C-H alkanes), 1620 (C=C aromatic), 1507, 1440, 1376, 1300, 1272, 1207, 1162, 1078; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.78 (s, 1H, ArH-5); 6.33 (s, 1H, ArH-2); 5.29 (br. t, J = 6.5 Hz, 2H, 2 × CCHCH2); 5.10 (s, 2H, Ar-1,3-OH) 3.26 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 4H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 1.77 (s, 6H, 2 × CHCCH3CH3); 1.76 (s, 6H, 2 × CHCCH3CH3); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 25.8 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 29.3 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 103.7 (ArC-2); 118.7.7 (ArC-4,6); 122.4 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 130.9 (ArC-5); 134.4 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 153.6 (ArC-1,3).

3.2.8. 1,4-Dihydroxy-2,5-di(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (15)

Compound 15 was a by-product from the reaction to obtain 10 and was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (80:20) as the mobile phase to afford compound 15 as a colorless semi-solid, 34 mg, 3%; IR (solution): νmax 3223 (OH), 2978, 2926 (C-H alkanes), 1431, 1373, 1242, 1186; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.57 (s, 2H, ArH-3,6); 5.28 (br. t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 3.26 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 4H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 1.76 [s, 12H, 2 × CHC(CH3)2)]; 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 25.8 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 29.4 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 116.9 (ArC-3,6); 121.7 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 125.7 (ArC-2,5); 134.6 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 147.9 (ArC-1,4).

3.2.9. 1,3-Dihydroxy-5-methyl-4,6-di(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (16)

Compound 16 was a by-product from the reaction to obtain 11 and was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (70:30) as the mobile phase to afford compound 16 as a pale yellow semi-solid (174.3 mg, 17%); IR (solution): νmax 3421 (OH), 2969, 2914, 2857 (C-H alkanes), 1601 (C=C aromatic), 1445, 1375, 1324, 1270, 1209, 1158, 1084; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.23 (s, 1H, ArH-2); 5.12 (br. t, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 5.02 (s, 2H, Ar-1,3-OH); 3.33 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 4H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 2.22 (s, 3H, Ar-CH3); 1.80 (s, 6H, 2 × CH3CH3C=CH2-); 1.72 (s, 6H, 2 × CH3CH3C=CH2-). 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 15.8 (Ar-CH3-5); 17.9 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 25.6 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 25.7 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 101.2 (ArCH-2); 118.6 (ArC-4,6); 122.6 [CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 133.0 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 136.4 (ArC-5) 152.7 (ArC-1,3).

3.2.10. 1,2-Dihydroxy-4,5-di(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (17)

Compound 17 was a by-product from the reaction to obtain 12 and was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (70:30) as the mobile phase to afford compound 17 as a reddish semi-solid (198.7 mg, 18%); IR (solution): νmax 3388 (OH), 2970, 2914, 2856 (C-H alkane), 1607 (C=C aromatic), 1514, 1477, 1448, 1375, 1282; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.66 (s, 2H, ArH-3,6); 5.47 (br. s, 2H, OH); 5.20 (br. t, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 3.19 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 4H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 1.72 (s, 6H, 2 × CHCCH3CH3); 1.67 (s, 6H, 2 × CHCCH3CH3); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 25.7 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 30.8 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 116.1 (ArC-3,6); 123.1 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 132.2 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 141.3 (ArC-1,2).

3.2.11. 1,3,5-Trihydroxy-2,6-di(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (18)

Compound 18 was a by-product from the reaction to obtain 13 and was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (45:55) as the mobile phase to afford compound 18 as a reddish oil (116.7 mg, 11%); IR (solution): νmax 3434 (OH), 2971, 2915, 2857 (C-H alkanes), 1623 (C=C aromatic), 1508, 1449, 1375, 1260, 1226, 1168, 1085; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 5.95 (s, 1H, ArH-4); 5.23 (br. t, 2H, J = 6.9 Hz, 2 × C=CHCH2); 3.33 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 4H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 1.80 (s, 6H, 2 × CH3CH3C=CH2-); 1.74 (s, 6H, 2 × CH3CH3C=CH2-); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 22.3 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 25.7 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 96.0 (ArCH-4); 106.2 (ArC-2,6); 122.3 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2-]; 134.9 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 153.0 (ArC-3,5); 15.0 (ArC-1).

3.2.12. 7-Hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-chroman (19)

Compound 19was a by-product from the reaction to obtain 9 and was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (70:30) as the mobile phase to afford compound 19 as a pale yellow oil (123.8 mg, 15%); IR (solution): νmax 3393 (OH), 2975, 2932, 2852 (C-H alkanes), 1622 (C=C aromatic), 1594, 1508, 1461, 1369, 1296, 1226, 1149, 1119; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.90 (d, 1H, J = 8.2 Hz, ArH-5); 6.38 (dd, 1H, J = 8.1 Hz, J = 2.4 Hz, ArH-6); 6.34 (d, 1H, J = 2.2 Hz, ArH-8); 6.20 (s, 1H, Ar-7-OH); 2.70 (t, J = 6.6 Hz, 2H, CCH2CH2); 1.79 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H, CCH2CH2); 1.34 (s, 6H, CH2CH2C(CH3)2); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 21.6 (CH2CH2C(CH3)2); 26.7 [CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 32.9 [CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 74.5 [CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 103.7 (ArCH-8); 107.6 (ArCH-6); 113.0 (ArC-4a); 130.0 (ArCH-5) 154.4 (ArC-8a); 154.9 (ArC-7).

3.2.13. 6-Hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-chroman (20)

Compound 20 was a by-product from the reaction to obtain 10 and was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (80:20) as the mobile phase to afford compound 20 as a reddish oil, 194.6 mg, 24%; IR (solution): νmax 3387 (OH), 2974, 2931, 2850 (C-H alkanes), 1618 (C=C aromatic), 1492, 1449, 1369, 1452, 1243, 1200; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.66–6.57 (m, 3H, ArH-5,7,8); 6.13 (s, 1H, Ar-6-OH); 2.69 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H, CCH2CH2); 1.76 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H, CCH2CH2); 1.32 [s, 6H, CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 22.5 [CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 26.6 [CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 32.7 [CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 73.9 [CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 114.5 (ArCH-5); 115.5 (ArCH-7); 117.6 (ArCH-8), 121.7 (ArC-4a); 147.5 (ArC-8a); 148.6 (ArC-6).

3.3. General Procedure for the Acetylation Reactions

To a stirred solution of prenylated phenol (1 equiv.) in methylene chloride (10 mL) was added dimethylaminopyridine (0.1 equiv.) and acetic anhydride (4 equiv.) at room temperature. After 1 h, the solvent was evapored under reduced pressure. Finally, the mixture was subjected to silica gel flash column chromatography (ethyl acetate, petroleum ether) to obtain pure products.

3.3.1. 1,4-Diacetoxy-2-metoxi-5-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (21)

Compound 21 was obtained from 8 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (60:40) as the mobile phase to afford compound 21 as a slightly orange solid (67.1 mg, 90%); MS m/z: 292 (11%), 250 (22%), 208 (98%), 153 (100%), 69 (9%); mp: 75–77 °C; IR (solution): νmax 1765 (C=O ester), 1621 (C=C aromatic), 1511, 1368, 1206; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.87 (s, 1H, ArH-6); 6.65 (s, 1H, ArH-3); 5.18 (br. t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H, CCHCH2); 3.78 (s, 3H, ArC-2-OCH3); 3.14 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, C=CHCH2); 2.29 (s, 6H, Ar-1,4-OCOCH3); 1.73 [s, 3H, CHC(CH3) (CH3)]; 1.67 [s, 3H, CHC(CH3) (CH3)]. 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.7 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 20.6 (OCOCH3); 20.8 (OCOCH3); 25.6 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 27.8 (CCHCH2-); 56.1 (CH3O-); 107.0 (CH-Ar-3); 121.3 (C=CHCH2); 123.4 (ArCH-6); 125.5 (ArC-4); 133.4 (C=CHCH2); 137.3 (ArC-1); 146.5 (ArC-5); 149.5 (ArC-2); 168.9 (OCOCH3); 169.2 (OCOCH3).

3.3.2. 1,3-Diacetoxy-4-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (22)

Compound 22 was obtained from 9 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (70:30) as the mobile phase to afford compound 22 as a colorless semisolid (214.5 mg, 61%); MS m/z: 262 (2%), 203 (20%), 178 (20%), 163 (100%), 135 (7%) 107 (9%); IR (solution): νmax 2978 (C-H alkane), 1766 (C=O ester), 1609 (C=C aromatic), 1496, 1422, 1370, 1198 (C-O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 7.22 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H, ArH-5); 6.93 (dd, J = 8.4 and 2.2 Hz, 1H, ArH-6); 6.86 (d, J = 2.2 Hz, 1H, ArH-2); 5.21 (br. t, J = 7.2, 1H, CCHCH2); 3.22 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CCHCH2); 2.29 (s, 3H, OCOCH3); 2.26 (s, 3H, OCOCH3); 1.74 [s, 3H, CHC(CH3) (CH3)]; 1.69 [s, 3H, CHC(CH3) (CH3)]; 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.7 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 20.7 (OCOCH3); 20.9 (OCOCH3); 25.6 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 28.3 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 115.8 (ArC-2); 119.0 (ArC-6); 121.3 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 130.1 (ArC-5); 130.9 (ArC-4); 133.2 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 148.8 (ArC-1); 148.9 (ArC-3); 168.8 (OCOCH3); 169.0 (OCOCH3).

3.3.3. 1,4-diacetoxy-2-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) benzene (23)

Compound 23was obtained from 10 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (80:20) as the mobile phase to afford compound 23 as a colorless oil (115.2 mg, 98%); MS m/z: 262 (5%), 219 (17%), 178 (100%), 163 (18%), 123 (36%); IR (solution): νmax 2970 (C-H alkane), 2916 (C-H alkane), 1763 (C=O ester), 1616 (C=C aromatic), 1491, 1438, 1369, 1208 (C-O), 1171 (C-O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 7.02 (d, J = 9.5 Hz, 1H, ArH-6); 6.95 (m, 2H, ArH-3,5); 5.21 (br. t, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H, C=CHCH2); 3.22 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, C=CHCH2); 2.30 (s, 3H, OCOCH3); 2.28 (s, 3H, OCOCH3); 1.74 (s, 3H, CH3CH3C=CH-); 1.68 (s, 3H, CH3CH3C=CH-); 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 20.8 (OCOCH3); 21.1 (OCOCH3); 25.7 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 28.6 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2-]; 119.9 (ArCH-5); 120.8 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 122.7 (ArCH-3) 122.9 (ArCH-6); 133.8 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 134.9 (ArC-2); 146.2 (ArC-1); 148.2 (ArC-4); 169.2 (OCOCH3); 169.4 (OCOCH3).

3.3.4. 1,3-Diacetoxy-5-methyl-4-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (24)

Compound 24 was obtained from 11 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (70:30) as the mobile phase to afford compound 24 as a colorless oil (133.5 mg, 63%); MS m/z: 276 (1%), 233 (37%), 192 (35%), 177 (19%), 137 (100%). IR (solution): νmax 2924 (C-H alkane), 1770 (C=O ester), 1618 (C=C aromatic), 1480, 1368, 1198 (C-O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.81 (d, 1H, J = 1.9 Hz, ArH-6); 6.21 (d, 1H, J = 2.0 Hz, ArH-2); 4.98 (br. t, J = 6.6 Hz, 1H,C=CHCH2); 3.22 (d, J = 6.6 Hz, 2H, C=CHCH2); 2.30 (s, 3H, Ar-CH3); 2.28 (s, 3H, OCOCH3); 2.26 (s, 3H, OCOCH3); 1.74 (s, 3H, CH3CH3C=CH2-); 1.68 (s, 3H, CH3CH3C=CH2-); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 19.7 (Ar-CH3-5); 20.8 (OCOCH3); 21.0 (OCOCH3); 25.5 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 25.8 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 113.5 (ArCH-2); 120.8 (ArCH-6); 121.3 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 129.5 (ArC-4); 131.9 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 139.0 (ArC-5); 148.3 (ArC-1); 149.0 (ArC-3); 169.1 (OCOCH3); 169.2 (OCOCH3).

3.3.5. 1,2-Diacetoxy-4-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (25)

Compound 25 was obtained from 12 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (70:30) as the mobile phase to afford compound 25 as a colorless oil (84 mg, 92%); MS m/z: 262 (5.5%), 220 (25%), 178 (100%), 163 (45%), 145 (24%). IR (solution): νmax 2979 (C-H alkane), 2936 (C-H alkane), 1771 (C=O ester), 1607 (C=C aromatic), 1505, 1428, 1372, 1210 (C-O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 7.06 (m, 2H, ArH-3,5); 6.70 (s, 1H, ArH-6); 5.30 (br. t, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H, CCHCH2); 3.34 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H, C=CHCH2); 2.28 (s, 3H, OCOCH3); 2.27 (s, 3H, OCOCH3); 1.75 (s, 3H, CHCCH3CH3); 1.69 (s, 3H, CHCCH3CH3); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.7 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 20.6 (OCOCH3 × 2); 25.7 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 33.5 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 122.1 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 123.0 (ArC-3,6); 126.3 (ArC-5); 133.3 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 139.9 (ArC-2); 140.6 (ArC-4); 141.7 (ArC-1); 168.3 (OCOCH3); 168.4 (OCOCH3).

3.3.6. 1,3,5-Triacetoxy-2-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (26)

Compound 26 was obtained from 13 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (45:55) as a mobile phase to afford compound 26 as a colorless oil (207.6 mg, 63%); MS m/z: 320 (1%), 277 (38.5%), 235 (50%), 194 (79%), 139 (100%); IR (solution): νmax 2972 (C-H alkane), 2927 (C-H alkane), 1772 (C=O ester), 1620 (C=C Aromatic), 1481, 1430, 1370, 1193 (C-O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6,82 (s, 2H, ArH-4,6); 5,00 (br. t, 1H, J = 6.9 Hz, C=CHCH2); 3.15 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H, C=CHCH2); 2.27 [s, 6H, ArC-1,3-(OCOCH3)2]; 2.25 (s, 3H, ArC-5-OCOCH3); 1.71 (s, 3H, CH3CH3C=CH2-); 1.66 (s, 3H, CH3CH3C=CH2-); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 20.8 (‑OCOCH3); 21.0 (OCOCH3); 23.7 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 25.5 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 113.8 (ArCH-4,6); 120.9 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2-]; 123.9 (ArC-2); 132.2 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 148.4 (ArC-5); 149.5 (ArC-1,3); 168.6 [(-OCOCH3)3].

3.3.7. 1,3-Diacetoxy-4,6-di(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (27)

Compound 27 was obtained from 14 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (70:30) as the mobile phase to afford compound 27 as a colorless semisolid (101.5 mg, 43%); MS m/z: 330 (1%), 287 (30%), 245 (29%), 191 (100%), 177 (12%) 69 (50); IR (solution): νmax 2973, 2915 (C-H alkanes), 1766 (C=O ester), 1592 (C=C aromatic), 1592, 1496, 1437, 1404, 1369, 1198 (C-O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 7.04 (s, 1H, ArH-5); 6.78 (s, 1H, ArH-2); 5.19 (br. t, J = 7.1, 2H, 2 × CCHCH2); 3.18 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 4H, 2 × CCHCH2); 2.27 (s, 6H, 2 × OCOCH3); 1.73 [s, 6H, 2 × CHC(CH3) (CH3)]; 1.69 [s, 6H, 2 × CHC(CH3) (CH3)]; 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 20.8 (OCOCH3); 25.6 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 28.5 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 116.3 (ArC-2); 121.6 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 130.9 (ArC-5); 131.0 (ArC-4,6); 133.1 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 146.9 (ArC-1,3); 169.1 (OCOCH3).

3.3.8. 1,4-Diacetoxy-2,5-di(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (28)

Compound 28 was obtained from 15 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (80:20) as the mobile phase to afford compound 28 as a colorless semisolid (29.3 mg, 88%); MS m/z: 330 (4%), 287 (29%), 246 (100%), 190 (65%), 69 (45%); IR (solution): νmax 2968, 2910, 2857 (C-H alkanes), 1755 (C=O ester), 1498, 1560, 1440, 1366, 1221 (C-O), 1209 (C-O), 1183; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.85 (s, 2H, ArH-3,6); 5.19 (br. t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 3.17 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 4H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 2.29 (s, 6H, OCOCH3) 1.73 (s, 6H, 2 × CH3CH3C=CH-) 1.66 (s, 6H, 2 × CH3CH3C=CH-); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 20.9 (OCOCH3); 25.7 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 28.4 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 121.1 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 123.2 (ArC-3,6); 132.2 (ArC-2,5); 133.6 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 146.4 (ArC-1,4); 169.4 (OCOCH3).

3.3.9. 1,3-Diacetoxy-5-methyl-4,6-di(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (29)

Compound 29 was obtained from 16 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (70:30) as the mobile phase to afford compound 29 as a colorless semi-solid (48.5 mg, 62%); MS m/z: 344 (1%), 301 (17%), 285 (7%), 259 (42%), 245 (18%), 227 (31%) 205 (100%), 161 (17%), 69 (35%). IR (solution): νmax 2969, 2916 (C-H alkanes), 1768 (C=O ester), 1596 (C=C aromatic), 1447, 1368, 1288, 1222, 1197 (C-O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.67 (s, 1H, ArH-2); 4.98 (br. t, J = 6.6 Hz, 2H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 3.23 (d, J = 6.5 Hz, 4H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 2.28 (s, 6H, 2 × OCOCH3); 2.22 (s, 3H, Ar-CH3); 1.74 (s, 6H, 2 × CH3CH3C=CH2-); 1.64 (s, 6H, 2 × CH3CH3C=CH2-); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 15.5 (Ar-CH3-5); 17.9 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 20.9 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 25.6 (OCOCH3); 26.4 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 114.0 (ArCH-2); 121.7 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 130.0 (ArC-4,6); 131.7 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 137.9 (ArC-5); 149.0 (ArC-1,3); 169.4 (OCOCH3).

3.3.10. 1,2-Diacetoxy-4,5-di(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (30)

Compound 30 was obtained from 17 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (80:20) as the mobile phase to afford compound 30 as a colorless oil (99 mg, 92%); MS m/z: 330 (0.6%), 288 (9%), 246 (9%), 232 (11%), 190 (100%), 175 (87%), 131 (11%), 91 (15%), 69 (23%); IR (solution): νmax 2971, 2915 (C-H alkanes), 1774 (C=O ester), 1499, 1437, 1370, 1275, 1210 (C-O). 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.93 (s, 2H, ArH-3,6); 5.23 (br. t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, 2 × CCHCH2); 3.28 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 4H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 2.27 (s, 6H, 2 × OCOCH3); 1.75 (s, 6H, 2 × CHCCH3CH3); 1.68 (s, 6H, 2 × CHCCH3CH3); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 20.6 (OCOCH3 × 2); 25.7 (CH3CH3C=CH2-); 30.9 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 121.8 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 123.1 (ArCH-3,6); 133.3 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 138.3 (ArC-4,5); 139.7 (ArC-1,2); 168.5 (OCOCH3).

3.3.11. 1,3,5-Triacetoxy-2,6-di(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl) Benzene (31)

Compound 31 was obtained from 18 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (45:55) as the mobile phase to afford compound 31 as a colorless semi-solid (111.0 mg, 60%); MS m/z: 388 (0.1%), 345 (26%), 303 (24%), 287 (17%), 271 (39%), 261 (28%), 247 (62%), 205 (100%), 191 (38%), 163 (40%), 151 (40%), 69 (34%); IR (solution): νmax 2972, 2924 (C-H alkanes), 1770 (C=O ester), 1614 (C=C aromatic), 1475, 1423, 1369, 1193 (C-O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6,82 (s, 1H, ArH-6); 5,00 (br. t, 2H, J = 6.7 Hz, 2 × C=CHCH2); 3.11 (s, 4H, 2 × C=CHCH2); 2.27 [s, 3H, ArC-3-(OCOCH3)2]; 2.25 (s, 6H, ArC-1,5-OCOCH3); 1.70 (s, 6H, 2 × CH3CH3C=CH2-); 1.67 (s, 6H, CH3CH3C=CH2-); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 17.8 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 20.5 (-OCOCH3); 20.8 (-OCOCH3); 21.0 (OCOCH3); 24.4 [(CH3)2CCHCH2-]; 25.6 (CH3CH3C=CH-); 115.0 (ArCH-6); 121.2 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2-]; 124.6 (ArC-2,4); 132.0 [(CH3)2C=CHCH2]; 147.3 [(ArC-1,3,5]; 168.7 (-OCOCH3).

3.3.12. 7-Acetoxy-2,2-dimethyl-chroman (32)

Compound 32 was obtained from 19 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (90:10) as the mobile phase to afford compound 32 as a colorless semisolid (165.2 mg, 41%); MS m/z: 220 (9%), 178 (30%), 163 (14%), 123 (100%), 65 (14%); IR (solution): νmax 2976, 2933, 2854 (C-H alkane), 1765 (C=O ester), 1615 (C=C aromatic), 1589, 1499, 1464, 1427, 1307, 1208 (C-O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 7.04 (d, 1H, J = 8.2 Hz, ArH-5); 6.55 (dd, 1H, J = 8.2 Hz, J = 2.1 Hz, ArH-6); 6.51 (d, 1H, J = 2.1 Hz, ArH-8); 2.75 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H, CCH2CH2); 2.27 (s, 3H, OCOCH3); 1.79 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H, CCH2CH2); 1.33 [s, 6H, CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 21.0 (OCOCH3); 22.0 [CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 26.8 [CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 32.5 [CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 74.4 [CH2CH2C(CH3)2]; 110.3 (ArCH-8); 112.8 (ArCH-6); 118.5 (ArC-4a); 129.7 (ArCH-5) 149.6 (ArC-7); 154.6 (ArC-8a); 169.5 (OCOCH3).

3.3.13. 6-Acetoxy-2,2-dimethyl-chroman (33)

Compound 33 was obtained from 20 as described above. The crude mixture was purified using petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (80:20) as the mobile phase to afford compound 33 (210.1 mg, 76%); MS m/z: 220 (18%), 178 (100%), 149 (15%), 163 (23%), 123 (62%); IR (solution): νmax 2976, 2933, 2854 (C-H alkanes), 1765 (C=O ester), 1614 (C=C aromatic), 1589, 1499, 1464, 1426, 1370, 1209 (C-O), 1142; 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 6.78 (m, 3H, ArH-5,7,8); 2.76 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H, Ar-CH2CH2); 2.26 (s, 3H, OCOCH3); 1.78 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H, Ar-CH2CH2-C-O); 1.32 [s, 6H, (CH3)2C]; 13C-NMR (CDCl3): 21.1 (OCOCH3); 22.6 (Ar-CH2CH2-C-O); 26.8 ((CH3)2C); 32.5 (Ar-CH2CH2-C-O); 74.3 [(CH3)2C]; 117.7 (ArCH-8); 120.2 (ArCH-7); 121.5 (ArC-4a); 121.8 (ArCH-5); 143.2 (ArC-6); 151.7 (ArC-8a); 170.0 (OCOCH3).

3.4. General Procedure to Antioxidant Activity (DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity)

The radical scavenging activity of prenylated compounds and starting materials towards the radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was measured as described [20] with modifications to adapt the screen for 96-well plates. Stock solutions of compound were prepared in methanol at a concentration of 1 mM (10 mL). Dissolutions (1–200 µM) were prepared from stock solution. Methanol (90 µL), each dissolution (150 µL), and DPPH (60 µL, Sigma-Aldrich) in methanol (0.5 mM), resulting in a final concentration of 0.1 mM DPPH, were added in a 96-well plate. Methanol was used as the blank sample. The mixtures were left for 30 min at room temperature and the absorbances then were measured at 520 nm. Trolox ™ was used as standard antioxidant. The radical scavenging activity was calculated as follows as: % Inhibition = [(blank absorbance − sample absorbance) / blank absorbance] × 100. The mean of three IC50 (concentration causing 50% inhibition) values of each compound was determined graphically.

4. Conclusions

A concise method has been developed for the synthesis of prenylated phenols via EAS condensation of 2 equiv. of prenol with 1 equiv. of phenol using BF3 etherate as a catalyst in an organic solvent mixture. This protocol has the advantages of mild conditions and simple procedure. Syntheses of prenylated phenols under different reaction conditions are being studied to produce monoprenylated phenols in high yield and by-products in low yield. Hydroxyl groups in the ortho and para position in the benzene ring favors the radical scavenging activity. Dialkylated phenols are better antioxidants than monoalkylated phenols. Free hydroxyl groups are essential for antioxidant activity.