A spectroelectrochemical and chemical study on oxidation of 7,8-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (DHMC) and some related compounds in aprotic medium.

Electrochemical and chemical oxidation of 7,8-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (DHMC 1) and 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin (DAMC 4) were studied to investigate the mechanisms occurring in their antioxidant activities in acetonitrile, under electron transfer and H-atom transfer conditions. Electrolysis and chemical reactions were followed on-line by monitoring the UV spectral changes with time.