Abstract
The structures of β-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) ethylbenzene (I) and 1, 2-bis (3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) ethane (II) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. The sweet compound I was synthesized as the essential structure for the sweet taste of phyllodulcin, while the tasteless compound II was synthesized as the chemical modification product of I. Between the structures of I and II, there are distinct differences in the dihedral angles made by the two planes of phenyl group and in the conformation of ethylene bridges. The structure of II is similar in conformation to that of dibenzyl while that of I is not.
