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Merck

Oxidative dimer produced from a 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoic ester.

Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry (2007-07-10)
Asuka Kodama, Hidetoshi Shibano, Jun Kawabata
ABSTRACT

The DPPH radical-scavenging abilities of the naturally occurring phenolic acid, 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoic acid, and its methyl ester were evaluated. Both compounds in acetonitrile scavenged as many as four radicals compared to three or fewer radical consumption in acetone or ethanol. Only the ester showed relatively high ability in methanol. Oxidation with o-chloranil in acetonitrile resulted in methyl 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoate giving a novel benzocoumarin-type dimer, its chemical structure being confirmed by spectroscopic evidence. The formation of this dimer might partly account for the higher radical-scavenging efficiency of the ester in acetonitrile or methanol.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
2,3,4-Trihydroxybenzoic acid, 97%
Sigma-Aldrich
3,4,5,6-Tetrachloro-1,2-benzoquinone, 97%