Mechanistic Study of the Biomimetic Synthesis of Flavonolignan Diastereoisomers in Milk Thistle

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Mitchell Croatt, Assistant Professor (Creator)
Nicholas Oberlies, Patricia A. Sullivan Distinguished Professor of Chemistry (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: The mechanism for the biomimetic synthesis of flavonolignan diastereoisomers in milk thistle is proposed to proceed by single-electron oxidation of coniferyl alcohol, subsequent reaction with one of the oxygen atoms of taxifolin’s catechol moiety, and finally, further oxidation to form four of the major components of silymarin: silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, and isosilybin B. This mechanism is significantly different from a previously proposed process that involves the coupling of two independently formed radicals.

Additional Information

Publication
The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 78(15), 7594-7600
Language: English
Date: 2013
Keywords
Organic chemistry, Milk thistle, flavonolignan diastereoisomers, silymarin, silybin

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