Triphenylmethanol and Tris(2-(hydroxymethyl)phenol) Derivatives: Synthesis and Application as Indicators for Acid-Base Volumetric Titration

Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found largely in fruits, vegetables, cereals and beverages. Currently, there is much interest in the potential health benefits of dietary plant polyphenols as antioxidants. The effect of polyphenols on human cancer cells is most often protective and induces a reduction in the number of tumors or rate of growth. During our course of study on anticancer prodrugs, twelve triphenylmethanol and one tris(2-(hydroxymethyl) phenol derivatives were synthesized as a carrier of several drugs with optimized lipophilicity. Besides application of these compounds as a foundation for anticancer drug delivery systems, these compounds were evaluated as indicators for the acid-base volumetric titration of a standard solution of hydrochloric acid with a standard solution of sodium hydroxide. The experiments indicated a moderate-to-sharp color transition of the solutions near the neutralization point for most indicators. These indicators may have potential applications for acid-base titrations in a narrow range.