Peroxidation of linoleic acid (LH) was initiated by azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) in tert-BuOH and inhibited effectively by anthraquinone (AQ), 1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone (AQ1,2-OH), 1,8-dihy~dro~xyanth~ra~qui~none (AQ1,8-OH) and β-carotene. It was found that AQ, AQ1,2-OH, AQ1,8-OH and β-carotene either alone or in combination exhibited obvious inhibiting effect, and the decay of β-carotene slowed down in the presence of AQs. Quantitative kinetic measurement showed that AQ, AQ1,2-OH, AQ1,8-OH and β-carotene can act as free radical inhibitors for bulk free radical polymerization of styrene initiated by AIBN at 60℃. The experimental results also indicated that there is synergistic efficiency between AQs and β-carotene.

Key words: anthraquinone, β-carotene, antioxidant, linoleic acid, synergism