2,3-Dihydro-5-hydroxy-2,2-dipentyl-4,6-di-tert-butylbenzofuran (BO-653) is a novel antioxidant designed as a drug for inhibition of lipid peroxidation in vivo. To understand the dynamics of action of BO-653 as an antioxidant, the effects of substituents and side chains on the stability and reactivity of the BO-653 derived radical were studied and compared with the aryloxyl radicals derived from related compounds including cr-tocopherol. The rate constants for the reactions of the aryloxyl radicals with themselves, lipid, hydroperoxide, and ascorbate were measured with a stopped-flow electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscope equipped with a rapid mixing device. The ortho substituents exerted profound effects on the rate of bimolecular decay reactions and the reaction with ascorbic acid, while the effects on the reactions with methyl linoleate and tert-butyl hydroperoxide were much less significant. The side chain at the 2-position did not exert any effect in organic solution but the two pentyl side chains, when compared with two methyl side chains, diminished the apparent reactivities in the liposomal membranes.