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Real-time Monitoring of Reactions Performed Using Continuous-flow Processing: The Preparation of 3-Acetylcoumarin as an Example
Published on: November 18, 2015
Experimental and theoretical studies on the acetaldehyde reaction with (+)-catechin
Raffaele Cucciniello1, Michele Tomasini2, Anna Russo1
1Department of Chemistry and Biology 'Adolfo Zambelli', University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, Province of Salerno 84084, Italy.
Abstract:
Acetaldehyde plays a key role in determining some wine properties. Interesting is the reaction of acetaldehyde with flavonoids, as the ensuing products can alter wine color, astringency, colloidal stability. Many studies reported on the formation of ethylidene-bridged flavan-3-ols as products of the reaction between acetaldehyde and either (+)-catechin or (-)-epicatechin. In white wines after one year of incubation with acetaldehyde only vinyl-(+)-catechin and vinyl-(-)-epicatechin were observed, while no ethylidene linked oligomers were detected. This observation prompted us to study the reaction of (+)-catechin with acetaldehyde in wine model solution through an experimental and theoretical approach, with the purpose of exploring the nature of the species involved along with the mechanisms leading to them. The products of the reaction were observed over 38 days. The results showed that ethylidene-bridged catechins are the first products to be formed but over time the dissociation of these dimers causes vinyl-catechins to accumulate.
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