Toward a Systematic Nomenclature for (Neo)Lignanamides

Abstract

Phenylalkenoic acid amides, often referred to as phenol amides or hydroxycinnamic acid amides, are bioactive phytochemicals, whose bioactivity can be enhanced by coupling to form dimers or oligomers. Phenylalkenoic acid amides consist of a (hydroxy)cinnamic acid derivative (i.e., the phenylalkenoic acid subunit) linked to an amine-containing compound (i.e., the amine subunit) via an amide bond. The phenylalkenoic acid moiety can undergo oxidative coupling, either catalyzed by oxidative enzymes or due to autoxidation, which leads to the formation of (neo)lignanamides. Dimers described in the literature are often named after the species in which the compound was first discovered; however, the ..