A new product of cholesterol by metal-free autoxidation in aqueous dispersion.

Abstract

Chemical structure was studied on the compound A which was an autoxidation product of cholesterol in an aqueous dispersion employing sodium cholesteryl sulfate as solubilizer. 5.alpha.-Cholestane-3.beta.,5,6.beta.,7.alpha.-tetrol and its 7.beta.-epimer were prepared as the authentic specimens. Contrary to the 7.alpha.-tetrol and the compound A, the epimer gave an acetonide and was susceptible to the oxidation with periodic acid. Identity of the compound A with the 7.alpha.-tetrol was concluded to be unequivocal by comparing the analytical data of these compounds and of their derivatives.