Regio- and stereoselective biomimetic synthesis of oligostilbenoid dimers from resveratrol analogues: influence of the solvent, oxidant, and substitution.

Oligostilbenoids are polyphenols that are widely distributed in nature with multifaceted biological activities. To achieve biomimetic synthesis of unnatural derivatives, we subjected three resveratrol analogues to oligomerization by means of one-electron oxidants. Upon varying the metal oxidant (AgOAc, CuBr(2), FeCl(3)6 H(2)O, FeCl(3)6 H(2)O/NaI, PbO(2), VOF(3)), the solvent (over the whole range of polarities), and the oxygenated substitution pattern of the starting material, stilbenoid oligomers with totally different carbon skeletons were obtained.