Abstract

Recent work on mimosa extract lends emphasis to the complexity of the extract, but also shows that simple interrelationships based on analogues of four different patterns of flavonoid nuclei constitute the tannin fraction. Two of these predominate. Within these groups of analogues certain support has been found for the classical concept of the condensation* of monomers (flavan-3,4-diols) to polymers* (tannins). The chemistry and stereochemistry of wattle tannin monomers have been studied in detail, and advances have been made in establishing the causes of reddening in these and other tannins. Many new wattle non-tannins have been identified.