Synthesis and structure of 5,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DECPO). Application to superoxide radical trapping

DECPO, a new analogue of EMPO was synthesized through a two-step synthetic pathway. Its structure and its application to trap superoxide were investigated. The ESR detection of the DECPO–OOH spin adduct is easy even at low concentration of superoxide. In comparison with DEPMPO, the trapping of superoxide with DECPO is faster and the detection of DECPO–OOH can be performed using a very low nitrone concentration (0.5 mM).