Electrochemical and theoretical complexation studies for Zn and Cu with individual polyphenols

Zn and Cu interactions with three selected flavonoids (catechin, quercetin and rutin) have been electrochemically monitored. It has been shown that catechin takes one atom of metal per molecule; quercetin takes two atoms, and rutin is able to take up to three atoms. Not all ligands bind metals equally strong, and weakly bonded metals can be distinguished. Zn shows a sluggish kinetics and, at the same time, the highest conditional formation constants. The method could be applied to a real sample. Theoretical models are proposed for the most favourable compounds.