How Sn(IV) Influences on the Reaction Mechanism of 11, tri-Butyl p-Coumarate and Its tri-Butyl-tin p-Coumarate Considering the Solvent Effect: A DFT Level Study

Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals. In general, the reaction mechanisms of antioxidants are well known. The main reaction mechanisms of antioxidants are electron transfer (ET), hydrogen transfer (HT), and radical adduction formation (RAF). The study of these mechanisms is helpful in understanding how antioxidants control high free radical levels in the cell. There are many studies focused on determining the main mechanism of an antioxidant to neutralize a wide spectrum of radicals, mainly reactive oxygen species (ROS)-type radicals. Most of these antioxidants are polyphenol-type compounds. Some esters, amides, and metal antioxidants have shown antioxidant activity, but there are few experimental and theoretical studies about the antioxidant reaction mechanism of these compounds. In this work, we show the reaction mechanism proposed for two esters, 11, tri-butyl p-coumarate and its tri-butyl-tin p-coumarate counterpart, using Sn(IV). We show how Sn(IV) increases the electron transfer in polar media and the H transfer in non-polar media. Even though the nature of esters could be polar or non-polar compounds, the antioxidant activity is good for the Sn(IV)-p-coumarate complex in non-polar media.