Radical scavenging capacity of 2,4-dihydroxy-9-phenyl-1H-phenalen-1-one: a functional group exclusion approach.

2,4-Dihydroxy-9-phenyl-1H-phenalen-1-one (4-hydroxyanigorufone, 1), a compound isolated from Anigozanthos flavidus and Monochoria elata, displayed a high radical scavenging capacity in the ORAC assay. A systematic approach was adopted in order to explore the effect of each functional group. H-Atom transfer from the phenolic hydroxyl, a captodative effect from the hydroxy ketone, and the presumed involvement of the phenyl ring in the termination step of the radical reaction were disclosed as relevant features of this type of antioxidant.