Dihydrochalcones

Phloretin is a dihydrochalcone, a type of natural phenol. It can be found in apple tree leaves and the Manchurian apricot.

Phlorizin is a glucoside of phloretin, a dihydrochalcone. A white solid when pure, samples often appear yellow due to impurities. It is of sweet taste and contains four molecules of water in the crystal. It is poorly soluble in ether and cold water, but soluble in ethanol and hot water. Upon prolonged exposure to aqueous solutions, phlorizin hydrolyzes to phloretin and glucose.

Dihydrochalcone (DHC) is the organic compound with the formula C6H5C(O)(CH2)2C6H5. It is the reduced derivative of chalcone (C6H5C(O)(CH)2C6H5). It is a white solid that is soluble in many organic solvents. Dihydrochalcone per se is often minor significance, but some derivatives occur in nature and have attracted attention as drugs.