Synthesis of per-sulfated flavonoids using 2,2,2-trichloro ethyl protecting group and their factor Xa inhibition potential

The synthesis of per-sulfated flavonoids, organic compounds with multiple sulfate groups, is challenging. We present here a two-step synthesis of fully sulfated flavonoids in high overall yields using the 2,2,2-trichloroethyl moiety as a protecting group. The two-step synthesis results in exclusive formation of the per-sulfated product in contrast to common sulfating agents that yield differentially sulfated mixture of compounds. Most per-sulfated flavonoids studied are activators of antithrombin for accelerated inhibition of factor Xa, a key enzyme of the blood coagulation cascade. As a group the per-sulfated flavonoids possess a range of factor Xa inhibition potential. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.