What is the reaction mechanism of the folin ciocalteu reagent and poly phenols?

Answer 1

The Folin-Ciocalteu reagent which is a mixture of tungstates and molybdates works on the mechanism of

oxidation-reduction reaction. The method strongly relies on the reduction of the mixture heteropolyphosphotungsates-molybdates by the phenolic compound which results in the formation of blue coloure chromogen. The phenolic compounds react with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent only under basic conditions adjusted by sodium carbonate solution. Under Basic conditions it has been observed that the phenolic compound undergoes dissociation to form a phenolate anion which reduces the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent i.e. the mixture of tungstates and molybdates rendering a blue coloured solution. The colour intensity of the formed blue chromogen can be measured by the absorbance readings using a spectrophotometer

Answer 2

The Folin-Ciocalteu reagent reacts with polyphenols through a redox reaction, where the phenolic hydroxyl groups are oxidized by the reagent, forming a blue complex. This reaction is typically followed by a colorimetric measurement to quantify the total phenolic content present in the sample.