Synthesis of 3-O-methylgallic acid a powerful antioxidant by electrochemical conversion of syringic acid

Background

A kinetic study of the electrochemical oxidation of syringic acid (3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid) by cyclic voltammetry at treated gold disk was combined with results of electrolyses at Ta/PbO₂ anode in order to convert it into potentially high-added-value product.

Methods

The electrochemical oxidation of syringic acid was carried out in order to convert this compound to 3-O-methylgallic acid. This latter was identified by mass spectrophotometry using LC-MS/MS apparatus. The 3-O-methylgallic acid synthesis was controlled by cyclic volammetry, Ortho-diphenolicdeterminations and DPPH radical-scavenging activity.

Results

The proposed mechanism is based on the hypothesis of a bielectronic discharge of syringic acid molecule under free and adsorbed form involving two intermediate cation mesomers. Hydrolysis of the more stable of this last one leads to the formation of the 3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid (3-O-methylgallic acid) as a major product. The latter aromatic compound was synthesized by anodic oxidation of syringic acid at PbO2 electrode. The cyclic voltammogram of the electrolysis bath of syringic acid shows that the anodic peak potential of 3-O-methylgallic acid was lower (E_pa = 128 mV) than that of SA (E_pa = 320 mV). And the strongest antiradical activity was detected when the 3-O-methylgallic acid concentration was higher".

Conclusion

The electrochemical oxidation using PbO₂ anode is a rapid, simple and efficient method tool for a conversion of SA into 3-O-methylgallic acid, a potent antioxidant derivative

General Significance

The electrochemical process consists in a simple transformation of the syringic acid into 3-O-methylgallic acid having a better antioxidant capacity. This result has been justified by cyclic voltametry which shows that anodic peak of 3-O-methylgallic acid is reversible. Furthermore, its potential is lower than that of the irreversible anodic peak of syringic acid to 3-O-methylgallic acid.