Abstract
It has been reported that three neutral substances (F, G and H) are excreted into the urine after the oral administration of (+)-catechin to the rabbit, and also that substances G and H are respectively determined as δ-(3-hydroxyphenyl) and δ-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactones. Considering the structures of G and H and the metabolic mechanism of phenols, the structure of F was assumed to be δ-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone and this compound was synthesized. Comparison of the natural and synthesized substances by paper partition chromatography established their identity and the structure of F was thereby confirmed.
