We studied the electrochemical behaviour as a function of the structure of a series of caffeic and ferulic acids derivatives as well as their corresponding redox moieties catechol and guaiacol by cyclic voltammetry. Results revealed that the medium is key for changes in the oxidation mechanism of guaiacol and ferulic acid. Electrochemical oxidation of the ferulic acid amide derivatives revealed that the nitrogen atom plays an important role in the derivatization of the electrode surface. In addition, radical scavenging activity of the compounds evaluated through the percentage of inhibition of the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhidrazyl radical showed a good relationship with the oxidation potentials.
cyclic voltammetry; hydroxycinnamic acids; caffeic acid phenethyl ester; antioxidant activity; DPPH radical
