Elsevier, Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic, (109), p. 24-30, 2014
DOI: 10.1016/j.molcatb.2014.07.012
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Dimerization of phenolic compounds can potentially enhance their biological (antioxidant) activity. We present here the selective oxidative dimerization of several flavonolignans from Silybum marianum seed extract, namely, silybin A (1a), silybin B (1b), silychristin (3), and silydianin (4) catalyzed by a laccase from Trametes versicolor. Selective benzylation of C-7 OH group of both silybins ensured the priority of the dimerization reaction, avoiding thus polymerization. C-C homodimers connected via E-rings of silybin A and B and silydianin dimers were successfully isolated after respective debenzylation. On the contrary, dimerization of 7-O-benzyl silychristin afforded a complex, inseparable mixture of the products. All isolated flavonolignan dimers exhibited significantly improved 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity compared to their monomers and, therefore, seem to be promising for further biological studies.