6 - Simple Phenols, Phenolic Acids, and Related Esters from the Medicinal Plants of Africa

Abstract

Phenolic compounds are second only to carbohydrates in abundance in higher plants. They display a great variety of structures, ranging from derivatives of simple phenols to complex polymeric materials such as lignin. In recent years, naturally occurring phenolics have been the subject of several reviews. For the purpose of this chapter, we intend, wherever possible, to limit the discussion to those naturally occurring compounds from African medicinal plants that possess only one aromatic ring and have not received detailed attention in the past. Compounds that are mentioned in this chapter and that will receive attention include simple phenols, phenolic alcohols, phenolic aldehydes, phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and phenolic amino acids. About 171 compounds are therefore reported in this chapter, of which 108 were reported as new compounds from African plants.