Analogs of anthocyanins with a 3′,4′-dihydroxy substitution: Synthesis and investigation of their acid–base, hydration, metal binding and hydrogen-donating properties in aqueous solution

Glycosides of hydroxylated flavylium ions are proposed as pertinent analogs of anthocyanins, a major class of polyphenolic plant pigments. Anthocyanins with a 3′,4′-dihydroxy substitution on the B-ring (catechol nucleus) are especially important for their metal chelating and electron-donating (antioxidant) capacities. In this work, an efficient chemical synthesis of 3′,4′-dihydroxy-7-O-β-d-glucopyranosyloxyflavylium chloride and its aglycone is reported. Then, the ability of the two pigments to undergo proton transfer (formation of colored quinonoid bases) and add water (formation of a colorless chalcone) is investigated: at equilibrium the colored quinonoid bases (kinetic products) are present in very minor concentrations (