The purpose of this review is to highlight how the antioxidant effectiveness (AE) of rubber additives can be quantitatively interpreted using results from quantum‐chemical calculations. The relationships between the AE of para‐phenylene diamines (PPD), evaluated through non‐isothermal differential scanning calorimetry measurements in styrene‐butadiene and polyisoprene rubber matrices, and various parameters obtained by quantum‐chemical calculations are reviewed. The N atom between both phenyl rings (A site) is more significant than the N atom between the phenyl ring and the alkyl chain (B site). The preferred formation of ketimine structures (instead of the quinonediimine ones) during dehydrogenation despite the higher stability of the NA‐centered radicals indicates a kinetic control of the antioxidant action. In most cases, the AE decreases with the strength of the NA–HA bond and increases with the chemical shifts of NA and HA. In hypothetical Cu(II) complexes, the AE rises with the affinity of NA to Cu, and the extent of electron density transfer from NA to Cu. Most deviations from linearity might be explained by steric hindrances. Reverse trends for the NA and NB chemical shifts are observed, despite the fact that similar reactions are supposed at both sites.