Mechanism of the inhibition of autoxidation by thiophenes

Abstract
The antioxidant action of thiophenes is shown to be due to a heterolytic decomposition of hydroperoxides effected by SO2 (H2SO4) which is liberated from the thiophene. Thus, the initiation level in an autoxidizing alkylaromatic compound (n‐hexylbenzene) is decreased and the oxidation is further inhibited by phenol, the heterolysis product of the hydroperoxide. At low thiophene concentrations the inhibition is counterbalanced by the low initiation level in such a way that the oxidation continues to proceed at a constant rate. The effect of substituents, of the concentration and of added bases on the antioxidant activity of thiophenes is reported.

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