Preparation and investigation of vitamin B6-derived aminopyridinol antioxidants

3-Pyridinols bearing amine substitution para to the hydroxylic moiety have previously been shown to inhibit lipid peroxidation more effectively than typical phenolic antioxidants, for example, α-tocopherol. We report here high-yielding, large-scale syntheses of mono- and bicyclic aminopyridinols from pyridoxine hydrochloride (i.e., vitamin B(6)). This approach provides straightforward, scaleable access to novel, potent, molecular scaffolds whose antioxidant properties have been investigated in homogeneous solutions and in liposomal vesicles. These molecular aggregates mimic cell membranes that are the targets of oxidative damage in vivo.