An antioxydant which comprises a primary aliphatic hydroxyl group linked to an organic backbone such that upon oxidation a hydroperoxyl moiety capable of boosting the efficacy of free radical scavengers and hydroperoxide decomposer type antioxidants is generated in situ. The antioxidant is preferably: (a) a high hydroxyl polyol ester having between about 1-35 % unconverted hydroxyl groups; (b) the reaction product of polyol and at least one acid selected from the group consisting of: phenolic acids, aromatic amine acids, phosphoric acids, and sulfuric acids; (c) the reaction product of (b) wherein the unconverted hydroxyl group is reacted with a facile leaving group, thereby producing free -CH2OH groups upon hydrolysis or oxidation; and (d) the antioxidant of (a), (b) or (c) blended with or grafted onto at least one material selected from the groups consisting of: mineral oils, polyol esters, polyalpha olefins, fuels, oligomers and polymers.