Simple and efficient sustainable semi-synthesis of oleacein [2-(3,4-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl (3S,4E)-4-formyl-3-(2-oxoethyl)hex-4-enoate] as potential additive for edible oils

•We synthesize 3,4-DHPEA-EDA starting from easily available natural oleuropein.•Our biomimetic route exploited MW-activation in water using only NaCl as promoter.•The hydroxytyrosol derivatives produced were used to enrich a commercial oil. A simple and very environmental friendly microwave assisted method to produce oleacein in good yield starting from the easily available oleuropein is here presented. The methodology is proposed to produce the appropriate amount of hydroxytyrosol derivatives to enrich a commercial oil for an oil which provides beneficial effects on the human health.