Structural and electronic properties of Z isomers of (4α→6",2α→O→1")-phenylflavans substituted with R=H, OH and OCH3 calculated in aqueous solution with PCM solvation model

In the search for new antioxidants, flavan structures called our attention, as substructures of many important natural compounds, including catechins (flavan-3-ols), simple and dimeric proanthocyanidins, and condensed tannins. In this work the conformational space of the Z-isomers of (4 alpha -> 6 '', 2 alpha -> O -> 1 '')-phenylflavans substituted with R=H, OH and OCH3 was scanned in aqueous solution, simulating the solvent by the polarizable continuum model (PCM). Geometry optimizations were performed at B3LYP/6-31 G** level. Electronic distributions were analyzed at a better calculation level, thus improving the basis set (6-311++G**). A topological study based on Bader's theory (atoms in molecules) and natural bond orbital (NBO) framework was performed. Furthermore, molecular electrostatic potential maps (MEPs) were obtained and thoroughly analyzed. The stereochemistry was discussed, and the effect of the solvent was addressed. Moreover, intrinsic properties were identified, focusing on factors that may be related to their antioxidant properties. Hyperconjugative and inductive effects were described. The coordinated NBO/AIM analysis allowed us to rationalize the changes of MEPs in a polar solvent. To investigate the molecular and structural properties of these compounds in biological media, the polarizabilities and dipolar moments were predicted which were further used to enlighten stability and reactivity properties. All conformers were taken into account. Relevant stereoelectronic aspects were described for understanding the stabilization and antioxidant function of these structures.