Synthesis of Water-Soluble Vinyl Selenides and Their High Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx)-Like Antioxidant Activity

A convenient procedure for the synthesis of novel bis-(1-hydroxymethyl-2-halo-3-hydroxy-1-propylene) selenides has been developed. On oxidation these compounds form novel seleno-spiro compounds and their glutathione peroxidase mimetic activity has been studied. They promote the hydrogen peroxide oxidation of phenylmethanethiol to the corresponding disulfide via a catalytic cycle.