A new phenylpropanoid derivative of catechin from the needles ofTaxus cuspidata

Investigation of the lower molecular weight phenolics from the needles of Taxus cuspidata led to the isolation and structural elucidation of (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin-(5,6-bc)-4β-(4″-hydroxyphenyl)-dihydro-2(H)-pyranone (1), a new phenylpropanoid flavan-3-ol. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence.