Some members of the naphthalenediol family have been shown in previous work on PC-12 cells to act as effective antioxidants while being relatively nontoxic. In the present work, we extend that study to examine the effect of naphthalenediols on rat primary cortical neurons exposed to AAPH (2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride), a source of peroxyl radicals. Compounds tested included the acetylated forms of 1,2-naphthalenediol, that is, 1,2-ND, as well as 1,4-ND, 2,3-ND, 1,8-ND, and the known highly potent antioxidant (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In cytoxicity studies, cells were exposed to the compounds for 24 h, leading to observed toxicity in the order of 1,4-ND > 1,2 ND >> 2,3-ND approximately EGCG > 1,8-ND. In cytoprotection studies, the desired compounds were incubated with neurons prior to AAPH exposure, and live cell counts were determined by trypan blue and/or MTT assays. Excellent protection, superior to EGCG, was provided by 2,3-ND and 1,8-ND. Additional studies using glutamate as a stressor showed that 1,8-ND had a significant protective effect at concentrations as low as 500 nM. The results can be understood on the basis of the tendency (or lack thereof) to form the corresponding quinone, which in turn depends on whether or not there is a loss of aromaticity in the ring adjacent to the quinone moiety. Thus, certain members of the family of naphthalenediols are quite cytotoxic, whereas others show promise as neuroprotective antioxidants.