A process is disclosed for the production of polyphenol oligomers having n polyphenol monomeric units, n being an integer from 2-18. The process includes coupling of a protected polyphenol, having protected phenolic hydroxyl groups, with a C-4 functionalized polyphenol monomer. The protected polyphenol may be a protected polyphenol monomer or a protected polyphenol oligomer having 2-17 monomeric units. Advantageously, polyphenol monomeric units forming the polyphenol oligomers may be the same or different flavanoid compounds.
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/355,606 filed Jan. 31, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,849,746 issued Feb. 1, 2005, which is a division of Ser. No. 10/017,812 flied Dec. 14, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,664 issued Mar. 4, 2003, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/169,554 filed Oct. 9, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,572 issued Jul. 16, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/948,226 filed Oct. 9, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,842 issued Mar. 27, 2001.
