Phenolic antioxidants such as 1,1-dimethyl-2-(3,5-di tert.butyl4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-nitroethane and a method of preparing said antitoxidants involving the reaction between a 3,5-di tert.alkyl4-hydroxybenzyl halide; N,N-dialkyl amine or dithiocarbamate such as 3,5-di tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl chloride; 2,6-di tert.butyl4-dimethylamino-methylphenol or 3,5-di tert.butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate and a nitroalkane such as 2nitropropane.