Synthesis of α-hydroxyphosphonates and their antioxidant properties

A series of α-hydroxyphosphonates were synthesized from the reaction of aldehyde (1) with triethylphosphite (2) in the presence of oxone and evaluated for their antioxidant properties against lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. The majority of the compounds showed promising antioxidant activity. Diethyl anthracen-9-yl (hydroxy) methylphosphonate (3n) is the most potent and biologically active compound against free radicals.