Design, synthesis and antioxidant properties of ovothiol-derived 4-mercaptoimidazoles

Fourteen 4-mercaptoimidazoles derived from the naturally occurring family of antioxidants, the ovothiols, have been synthesized by cyclization of thioamides with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate). These compounds have been assayed for their radical-scavenging activity.