Structural factors responsible for the activity of macromolecular phenolic antioxidants

Abstract

Hybrid macromolecular antioxidants based on hydrophilic polymers with chemically grafted sterically hindered phenol fragments in aqueous solution exhibited considerably higher antiradical activity than that typical of compositions consisting of a polymer and low-molecular phenol analogs. The activity of the examined antioxidants is determined mainly by formation of supramolecular structures in solution, as well as by the position of the phenolic fragment inside or outside hydrate shell. An important structural factor is the size of the spacer connecting the redox-active phenol ring with the polymer.