Abstract: The preparation of C-3 coupled biflavonoids and C-3 coupled biflavonoid analogs occurs from flavan-3-ones that are contacted with a compound having a nucleophilic aromatic moiety, in the presence of a Lewis acid where an intermediate compound is formed with a C-3 hydroxy group. A flavan-3-ol can be converted to a flavan-3-one as required. The intermediate compound is dehydrated to a flavene with a C-3-C-4 double bond. The flavene compound undergoes hydroboration-oxidation hydration to introduce a C-4 hydroxy group that can be oxidized to an oxo group or can be dihydroxylation to introduce hydroxy groups at the C-4 and C-3 carbons and dehydrated to a biflavonoid or biflavonoid analog having an oxo group at its C-4 carbon and substituted by the selected nucleophilic aromatic moiety on its C-3 carbon.

Abstract: A method of synthesising Aspalathin and its analogues or derivatives is disclosed. The method comprises synthesising a compound of formula 1 or its analogues or derivatives: wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 is independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, hydrocarbyl groups, saccharide moieties and —OR15; R15 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group (e.g. methoxy or ethoxy), an acyl group and a benzyl group; and R11, R12, R13 and R14 are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, hydrocarbyl groups, saccharide moieties, an acyl group and a benzyl group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of C-4 coupled flavonoids, proanthocyanidins and analogues thereof. According to a specific application of the invention, there is provided a method for the preparation of proanthocyanidins and proanthocyanidin analogues.

Abstract: A method of synthesising Aspalathin and its analogues or derivatives is disclosed. The method comprises synthesising a compound of formula 1 or its analogues or derivatives: wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 is independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, hydrocarbyl groups, saccharide moieties and —OR15; R15 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group (e.g. methoxy or ethoxy), an acyl group and a benzyl group; and R11, R12, R13 and R14 are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, hydrocarbyl groups, saccharide moieties, an acyl group and a benzyl group.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the preparation of an optically inactive and optically active compounds which are selected from the group consisting of C-3 coupled biflavonoids and C-3 coupled biflavonoid analogues from a starting material or intermediate which are respectively selected from the group consisting of optically inactive or optically active flavan-3-ols and optically active flavan-3-ones, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing an optically inactive or active compound having a flavan-3-ol structure or a compound which is a flavan-3-one, (b) if a compound having a flavan-3-ol structure with a hydroxy group on the C-3 carbon is selected as starting material, converting the hydroxy group on the C-3 carbon of the compound having the flavan-3-ol structure to an oxo group to form a flavan-3-one of that compound, (c) providing a compound having a nucleophilic aromatic moiety, which compound is selected from the group of compounds having a nucleophilic aromatic moiety and which have flavono

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of C-4 coupled flavonoids, proanthocyanidins and analogues thereof. According to a specific application of the invention, there is provided a method for the preparation of proanthocyanidins and proanthocyanidin analogues.