Benzeneseleninic Acid Promoting the Selenofunctionalization of 2- Naphthol Derivatives: Synthesis and Antioxidant Activity of 1- Organoselanyl-naphthalen-2-ols

Background: We report the synthesis and antioxidant evaluation of 1-organoselanylnaphthalen- 2-ols. The title compounds were selectively prepared through the selenofunctionalization of 2-naphthol derivatives using benzeneseleninic acids as a selenium source. Objective: We aimed at synthesizing 1-organoselanyl-naphthalen-2-ol by functionalizing 2-naphthol with arylseleninic acids using glycerol as the solvent and further evaluating the pharmacological activity. Methods: The products were synthesized at 70°C using glycerol as a solvent in an oil bath. Reactive species (RS) tests, DPPH radical scavenging activity assay, and ABTS+ radical scavenging activity assay were performed. A statistical analysis of the data was performed. Results and Discussion: A total of fifteen 1-organoselanyl-naphthalen-2-ols were selectively obtained in yields of 58-95% in 0.25-48 h of reaction. Additionally, all the synthesized seleno-derivatives exhibited antioxidant activity, as revealed by their ability to scavenge DPPH and ABTS+ radicals and reduce the reactive species (RS) levels. Conclusion: The synthesis of 1-arylselanyl-naphthalen-2-ols was developed under mild reaction conditions using benzeneseleninic acid derivatives in reactions with 2-naphthol. All synthesized 2- naphthol derivatives exhibited antioxidant activity, as revealed by their DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging activity and reduced RS levels.