Eco-friendly synthesis of lipophilic EGCG derivatives and antitumor and antioxidant evaluation

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was structurally modified to obtain EGCG fatty acid esters using an eco-friendly method employing Er(OTf)3 in 2-MeTHF as the catalyst. The products were purified in short times on a large scale using VERSAFLASH HTFP station on octadecyl-functionalized silica gel. The same Lewis acid showed to be a good catalyst for the synthesis of EGCG peracetated. The EGCG derivatives were assayed for their antioxidant capacity by DPPH assay and by ROS formation using the SH-SY5Y cell line.