Simple Preparation of 8-5-Coupled Diferulate

Diferulates are important products of ferulate-mediated cross-linking of plant cell walls. Coupling of ferulates by radical mechanisms produces a range of diferulates. One of the major isomers, 8-5-coupled diferulate, can be synthesized by single-electron oxidants, but the yields are relatively low and purification is nontrivial. Significant quantities of this dimer are required for various analytical and reactivity studies. A simpler preparation utilizing the biomimetic peroxidase-H₂O₂ system allows the production of gram quantities of pure diethyl 8-5-diferulate.