Effect of electron donating groups on polyphenol-based antioxidant dendrimers.

Numerous studies have reported the beneficial effects of antioxidants in human diseases. Among their biological effects, a majority of antioxidants scavenge reactive radicals in the body, thereby reducing oxidative stress that is associated with the pathogenesis of many diseases. Antioxidant dendrimers are a new class of potent antioxidant compounds reported recently.

Copper-granule-catalyzed microwave-assisted click synthesis of polyphenol dendrimers.

Syringaldehyde- and vanillin-based antioxidant dendrimers were synthesized via microwave-assisted alkyne-azide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition using copper granules as a catalyst. The use of Cu(I) as a catalyst resulted in copper contaminated dendrimers. To produce copper-free antioxidant dendrimers for biological applications, Cu(I) was substituted with copper granules.