A novel and efficient synthesis of highly oxidized lignans by a methyltrioxorhenium/hydrogen peroxide catalytic system. Studies on their apoptogenic and antioxidant activity
mammalian enterolignans were treated with a methyltrioxorhenium/hydrogenperoxidecatalyticsystem to afford new compounds oxidized at benzylic as well as in arylic positions. The evaluation of the antioxidant and apoptogenic activity by in vivo protocols of these compounds showed some interesting structure–activity relationships related to the oxidation degree of the molecules.