Total synthesis of 5,5′,6,6′-tetrahydroxy-3,3′-biindolyl, the proposed structure of a potent antioxidant found in beetroot (Beta vulgaris)

5,5′,6,6′-Tetrahydroxy-3,3′-biindolyl, the proposed structure of a phenolic antioxidant isolated from the red beetroot (Beta vulgaris), has been synthesised. The spectroscopic data of the synthetic material is not consistent with that reported for the natural product.