Dihydric phenols as antioxidants

Oxidative transformations of hindered synthetic phenols and a-tocopherol are analogous to the oxidation of various mono- and dihydric phenols of plant origin. Natural phenols present in fruits or green tea leaves are oxidized on contact with air and/or during fermentation (a process characteristic of tea leaves) and are transformed into dark colored quinoid systems, not harmful for human beings. It may be extrapolated that trace amounts of discoloring quinones or quinone methides arising from phenolic antioxidants in plastics are harmless as well. 

Various polyesters derived from phosphorous or phosphoric acids were prepared. Efiicient polyphosphites were synthesised in the early 196(. Polyphosphite prepared from 152 and 4,4 -isopropylidenebis(cyclohexanol) was tested as a thermal stabilizer for PC [199] or as secondary AO for radiation sterilized EPM [200]. Built-in phosphites obtained by transesterification of triallcylphosphite with 4,4 -isopro-pylidenebisphenol or 4,4 -thiobisphenol possess antioxidant properties in polyolefins. Stabilizer containing phosphite moiety 153 was prepared from tris(2-hydroxy-ethyl)isocyanate, decyl alcohol and triphenylphosphite [201]. Various phosphites were derived firom polynuclear phenols or dihydric phenols. For example, a polycondensate prepared by reaction of phosphorus trichloride with 2,5-di-rert-butylhydroquinone was tested as heat and light stabilizer for PP [202], A linear polyester with a built-in phenolic moiety was synthesised from (2,6-di-tm-butyl-4-methylphenyl)bis(6-hydroxyhexyl)phosphite and dimethyl terephthalate [203]. 

An inherent problem in the usage of phenolic lipids, particularly in surface coatings, is the discolouration which can impair products. Apart from colourants arising from the solvent action of CNSL on the shell in the industrial process, the dihydric phenols In CNSL notably the minor component 2-methylcardol (ref. 200) more than cardol appear to be the cause of this deterioration rather than the monohydric member, cardanol. The usage of purer cardanol, or the less unsaturated material by semi-hydrogenation or chemical reduction, as well as the Incorporation of an antioxidant are methods for colour stabilisation (ref. 277). Antioxidant applications and pharmaceutical uses of CNSL and its component phenols are referred to in the next section. 

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