Synthesis of ferulic ester dimers, functionalisation and biological evaluation as potential antiatherogenic and antiplasmodial agents

Oxidative dimerization of ferulic acid methyl ester afforded dihydrobenzofuran derivative and new linear compound identified by X-ray crystallography. The gallate derivatized dihydrobenzofuran analogue was obtained and all compounds were evaluated for potential antiatherogenic, antiplasmodial (best IC50 = 0.8 mu M) and cytotoxic activities. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.