Novel 4-methoxy-2-acetyl benzofuran based chalcones: A new perceptivity into their antioxidant potentials

A new series of 4-methoxy-2-acetyl benzofuran based chalcones (2a-i) were synthesized by aldol base condensation reaction. The synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, [13]C NMR, mass and elemental analysis and were evaluated for their antioxidant potential using various in vitro assays like 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, microsomal lipid peroxidation inhibition (LPO) assay and ferric reducing power assay. Butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA) was used as a reference compound and the comparative study with the newly synthesized compounds was also performed. All the newly synthesized analogues showed certain degree of antioxidant activity, among the entire synthesized analogues compound (2h) bearing electron donating hydroxy and methoxy group on the phenyl moiety showed predominant activity and exhibits even more activity than the standard.