A series of benzylphenols has been evaluated as antioxidants for paraffin wax at 160 C. Introduction of the benzyl group to thepara-and/or ortho-positions to the hydroxyl group on the benzene ring was shown to improve antioxidative activities of phenols. Excellent activities have been observed with benzylpyrocatechols and benzyl-resorcinol. Antioxidant activities of benzylphenol compounds increased with the decrease of13C NMR chemical shifts (δ) of the ipsocarbon of the OH substituent