A novel series of 3-0-alkylascorbic acids (3-RASA, 3a-n) was synthesized to act as radical avengers for active oxygen species and free radicals, and their redox potentials and inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes were evaluated. The redox potentials of the 3-RASA compounds were increased by the substituent group to 90-190 mV above the potential for ascorbic acid (ie, 3-RASA compounds were harder to oxidize). ...