Synthesis and Antiradical Activity of 5-Acetyl-2-alkylthio-4-aryl-6-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylic Acid Nitriles

The alkylation of 3-cyano-1,4-dihydropyridine-2(3H)-thiones or the condensation of an aromatic aldehyde, cyanothioacetamide, acetylacetone, and methyl iodide in the presence of piperidine has given a series of novel 5-acetyl-2-alkylthio-4-aryl-6-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylic acid nitriles. A compound was obtained from 3,5-di(tert-butyl)-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde in the molecule of which were combined the active part of the antioxidant ionol and a 1,4-dihydropyridine ring. It was found that, among the compounds synthesized, the highest antiradical activity occurred in a compound having two hydroxyl groups in the 4-phenyl substituent.