Free radical scavenging and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of (E)-methyl/ethyl-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)acrylates

Abstract

(<em>E</em>)-Methyl/ethyl-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)acrylates <strong>3a-x</strong> have been prepared by the reaction of salicylaldehydes <strong>1a-l</strong> with Wittig reagents such as methyl (triphenylphosphoranylidene)acetate <strong>2a</strong> and ethyl (triphenylphosphoranylidene)acetate <strong>2b</strong> in dry DCM at room temperature. All the synthesized compounds have been evaluated for free-radical scavenging and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Compounds <strong>3c </strong>and<strong> 3d </strong>display DPPH free radical scavenging activity. All the compounds have shown ABTS free radical scavenging activity except four compounds <strong>3s-t</strong> and <strong>3w-x</strong>. Compounds <strong>3g</strong>, <strong>3p </strong>and <strong>3r</strong> display α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.