Abstract
To aid in the identification of trihydroxy acidic metabolite(s) derived from beta-sitosterol, 3alpha,7alpha,12alpha-trihydroxy-24-nor-5beta-cholan-23-oic acid was prepared and its methyl ester was treated with Raney nickel in boiling p-cymene to provide methyl 3-oxo-7alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-24-nor-5alpha-cholanate, 3-oxo-7alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-24-nor-5beta-cholante and 3-oxo-7alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-24-norchol-4-enoate. The latter compound was synthesized from the 3-oxo-5beta-derivative with SeO2 to provide a product with identical properties. Catalytic reduction of either saturated 3-oxo-derivative provided the appropriate 3,7,12-triols isomeric at C-3. Results from gas liquid and partition chromatography, mass spectrometry, and otherr physical properties of the acids, their methyl esters and other derivatives are compatible with the assigned structures.
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