Unexpected role of 5-OH in DPPH radical-scavenging activity of 4-thiaflavans. Revealed by theoretical calculations

The O–H bond dissociation enthalpies (BDEs) of 4-thiaflavans were calculated by a combined density functional theory method (RO)B3LYP/6-311 + G(2d,2p)//AM1/AM1. The calculated BDEs not only gave a reasonable explanation on the DPPH radical-scavenging activity difference of 4-thiaflavans, but also revealed the unexpected role of 5-OH in enhancing the antioxidant activity of A-ring.