Synthesis and evaluation of antioxidant activity of 2-styrylchromones

Antioxidants are emerging as potential prophylactic and therapeutic agents which scavenge free radicals otherwise reactive oxygen species and prevent the damage caused by them. Free radicals have been associated with pathogenesis of various disorders like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative disorders and are implicated in aging. Chromones and their derivatives display important biological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmolytic, oestrogenic and antibacterial activities, in particular the antioxidant behavior of these compounds continue to draw attention of researchers. In the present communication a series of halo substituted 2-styrylchromones 4a-4k were prepared and tested for the antioxidant activity by using DPPH (1, 1 diphenyl 2, picryl hydrazyl) method, and among the synthesized compounds 4e and 4h shows strong antioxidant activity while remaining compounds show antioxidant activity in the normal range.