N-aryl amino-alcohols as stabilizers of asphaltenes

► N-aryl amino-alcohols were synthesized and evaluated as asphaltene stabilizers. ► Boronic acid compounds showed good efficiency as asphaltene aggregation inhibitors. ► Asphaltene aggregation inhibition was confirmed by flocculation kinetics. ► Boronic acid compounds showed also viscosity reducing effect of a heavy crude oil. ► Aggregation and interaction mechanisms were studied via molecular modeling.