Green synthesis and antioxidant activity of new PEGylated ferulic acids

PEGylation of ferulic acid is described through a green esterification process involving poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with three different average molecular weights (200, 400 and 1000 g/mol) as both reactive and solvent. Esterification with PEG400 and PEG1000 leads to original compounds soluble in all proportions in water. These new compounds display an antioxidant activity similar to that of ferulic acid.