8-O-methyl- and the first 3-O-methylflavan-3,4-diols from Acacia saxatilis

The light purple heartwood of Acacia saxatilis contains (+)-2,3-trans-3,4-trans- and (+)-2,3-trans-3,4-cis-diastereoisomers of 8-methoxy-7,j',4'-trihydroxy- and 7,3′,4′-trihydroxyflavan-3,4-diols as major components. Evidence was also obtained of the first 3-methyl ether of metabolites: of this type, notably of (+)-8-methoxy-7,3′,4′-trihydroxy-2,3-trans-flavan-3,4-cis-diol. Flavonol, dihydroflavonol and flavanone analogies accompany these. The correlation between colour of Acacia heartwoods and structure, phenolic substitution, stereochemistry and composition of their flavonoid components is discussed.