Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been linked with many pathological conditions. Studies suggest that antioxidants able to accumulate in the inner regions of the mitochondria as well as possessing the chemical entities to cross membranes such as the blood brain barrier, could potentially overcome many of the limitations found with current antioxidants.
Nitrones have demonstrated great antioxidant potential due to their free radical scavenging properties, cardio and neuro-protective activities. In this research, several synthetic studies were performed with the aim of synthesizing a novel hydroxylamine of potential utility for the preparation of mitochondria targeted nitrones. These studies resulted in the generation of a synthetic intermediate, N-(3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl)-2,2,3-trimethyl-3-nitrobutaminde, that although lacking the desired hydroxyl- amino functionality, this intermediate is, in theory, an immediate precursor to a molecule that is endowed with the structural characteristics to deliver tethered nitrones to the inner regions of the mitochondria.
