Benzoxazinic nitrones and nitroxides as possible antioxidants in biological systems

Benzoxazinic nitrones and nitroxides are good antioxidants in model biological systems (micelles, lipoproteins, proteins, liposomes, sugars). With nitrones, this activity may be attributed to their radical trapping ability, whereas with nitroxides to their radical scavenging properties. In both cases, H-abstraction from the C-2 position of the benzoxazine moiety cannot be ruled out and could, at least in part, account for their antioxidant behaviour. Appropriate DFT calculations have been carried out to better understand the mechanisms of action of the studied compounds.