THE EFFECT OF ALCOHOL AND POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE CONCENTRATION ON THE REACTION OF 17-KETOSTEROIDS WITH M-DINITROBENZENE1

Abstract
A study was made of the relative chromogenic properties of crystalline andros-terone, dehydro-isoandrosterone, 3-[alpha]-hydroxyetiocholane-17, j''soandrosterone, androstene 3:17-dione, androstenone-17 and chlorandrostenone-17 under varying reaction conditions. The alcohol concn. was varied from 63 to 100% and the KOH from 2.5 N to 10 N, other factors being constant. Readings were made at time of maximum color. Equivalent colors were not produced by all the compounds under any set of conditions. The greatest similarity was found at intermediate alkali concns., 5 N KOH in 63% ale. or 2.5 N KOH in absolute ale. This combination would tend to minimize the errors in assays of 17-ketosteroid content.