Epicatechin B-ring conjugates: first enantioselective synthesis and evidence for their occurrence in human biological fluids

Org Lett. 2012 Aug 3;14(15):3902-5. doi: 10.1021/ol3016463. Epub 2012 Jul 17.

Abstract

Herein, the first enantioselective total synthesis of a number of biologically relevant (-)-epicatechin conjugates is described. The success of this synthesis relied on (i) optimized conditions for the stereospecific cyclization step leading to the catechin C ring; on (ii) efficient conjugation reactions; and on (iii) optimized deprotection sequences. These standard compounds have been subsequently used to elucidate for the first time the pattern of (-)-epicatechin conjugates present in four different human biological fluids following (-)-epicatechin absorption.

MeSH terms

  • Body Fluids / chemistry*
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / analysis
  • Catechin / blood
  • Catechin / chemical synthesis*
  • Catechin / urine
  • Cyclization
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Catechin