Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Free Radicals in Chemical Biology: from Chemical Behavior to Biomarker Development
Published on: April 15, 2013
Synthesis and effect on free radical processes on some substituted morpholine derivatives with potential biologic
E Tani1, E Rekka, P N Kourounakis
1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Abstract:
Since a number of 2-hydroxy(alkoxy)-2-phenyl-4(5,6)-(tri)alkyl-morpholines presented antioxidant and interesting biologic activity which may implicate free radical processes, some 2-hydroxy(alkoxy)-2-biphenyl-4-methyl-morpholine derivatives were prepared in an attempt to synthesize more potent antioxidants with interesting biologic action. The 2-hydroxy-2-biphenyl-4-methyl-morpholine was prepared by reacting the N-methyl-ethanolamine with the p-phenyl-phenacylbromide, the 2-hydroxy-derivative formed after spontaneous cyclisation gave the 2-alkoxy-2-biphenyl-4-methyl morpholines by an acid catalyzed ketal formation. The lipophilicity of the synthesized compounds was determined by the reversed phase TLC technique as RM values. The synthesized 2-biphenyl substituted morpholines were evaluated for their antioxidant activity on hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation and on hydroxyl radical mediated oxidation of dimethylsulfoxide. The synthesized compounds were found to possess potent antioxidant activity. A possible mechanism was proposed for the antioxidant properties while lipophilicity was found not to be an important determinant of this property.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH3
meta-Directing Deactivators: –NO2, –CN, –CHO, –⁠CO2R, –COR, –CO2H
Directing and Steric Effects in Disubstituted Benzene Derivatives
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution: Addition–Elimination (SNAr)
The reaction begins with an attack of the nucleophile on the carbon that holds the leaving group. This results in the delocalization of the π electrons over the ring carbons. The resonance interaction between the...
Radical Substitution: Allylic Bromination
Adrenergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Aromatic ring substitutions: Substituting the aromatic ring with –OH groups at positions 3 and 4 yields catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine), which have a high affinity for adrenoceptors. Hydrogen bonding between –OH groups and receptors enhances adrenergic activity.
Separation of the aromatic...

