Synthesis of 3 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid from 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid: configuration in the bile of Alligator mississippiensis

Formation of the steroidal C-25 chiral center via the asymmetric alkylation methodology

A novel approach for the preparation of steroids containing a chiral center at C-25 is reported. The key stereochemistry inducing step was asymmetric alkylation of pseudoephenamine amides of steroidal C-26 acids. The reaction proceeded with high diastereoselectivity (dr > 99 : 1). The developed methodology was successfully applied to the synthesis of (25R)- and (25S)-cholestenoic acids as well as (25R)- and (25S)-26-hydroxy brassinolides.

Synthesis of diastereomers of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha, 24-tetrahydroxy- and 3 alpha,7 alpha,24-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan- 26-oic acids and their structures

Four stereoisomers of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,24-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acids were synthesized as possible intermediates of the side-chain degradation step of bile acid biosynthesis. 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-Trihydroxy-5 beta-cholest-25-en-24-one prepared by thermolysis of beta-ketosulfoxide was reduced to the (24R)- and (24S)-allylic alcohols by reduction with sodium borohydride. Each isomeric alcohol was subjected to hydroboration and oxidation to give (25R)- and (25S)-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,24,26-pentahydroxy-5 beta-cholestanes. The separated four stereoisomers were converted into the corresponding 26-carboxylic acids. The stereoisomers of 3 alpha,7 alpha,24-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acids were synthesized in the same manner. To establish the stereochemistry of these carboxylic acids, the chemical transformation of methyl 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha-trihydroxy- and 3 alpha,7 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-cholest-24-en-26-oates into the above stereoisomers and the reductive dehydroxylation of the 24-hydroxyl group into known 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,26-tetrahydroxy- and 3 alpha,7 alpha,26-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholestanes are described. The applications of spectroscopic methods (circular dichroism and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance) to elucidation of the stereochemistry are also discussed.