Chromone derivatives which bind to human hair

Chromone derivatives bearing a quaternary ammonium functionality which bind to human hair were synthesised. The radical scavenging activity, according to the DPPH assay, of the chromone derivatives is considerably lower compared with flavonoids. The compounds show interesting UV absorption properties that depend on the position of a methoxy substituent. A bathochromic shift of 29 nm was observed when the methoxy group on the ammonium salts were shifted from position 7 to position 6.