Synthesis of aryl and heterocyclic polyenes and their activity in free radical scavenging

Aryl polyenes and heterocyclic polyenes with the same central C-20 unit of beta, beta-carotene but different terminal groups were synthesised. Their free radical scavenging activity was measured by a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazinyl spectrophotometric method. The results indicated that all the new compounds have free radical scavenging activity.