Regioselective hydrolysis of pentaacetyl catechin and epicatechin by porcine liver esterase

3,5,7,3′,4′-Pentaacetyl catechin was selectively hydrolyzed to either 3,7,3′,4′-tetraacetyl catechin or 3-acetyl catechin depending upon the duration of hydrolysis. A similar result was also obtained in the epicatechin series.