Procyanidin B3 synthesis: a study of leaving group and Lewis acid activator effects upon interflavan bond formation

A range of electrophilic ethers were prepared via DDQ oxidation and alcoholic trapping (propanol, crotyl alcohol and propargyl alcohol) at the C4 position of (+)-catechin. The Lewis acid-mediated C4-substitution of each of these ethers was examined and it was found that the propargyl ether was the best overall electrophile. A range of Lewis acids were then examined as activators and it was found that BF3·OEt2 was the best in terms of both yield and stereochemical control at the C4 position. This newly developed set of conditions was then used to prepare the natural product nutraceutical procyanidin B3 with complete control of stereochemistry.