4,5-Epoxycholestane-3,6-diols: templates for generating the full set of eight cholestane-3,5,6-triol stereoisomers in multigram scales, but not for a cholestane-3,4,6-triol

Steroids. 2007 Jan;72(1):95-104. doi: 10.1016/j.steroids.2006.11.015. Epub 2006 Dec 15.

Abstract

Cholestane-3beta,5alpha,6beta-triol is an extensively studied biologically important oxysterol. The full set of eight cholestane-3,5,6-triol stereoisomers was synthesised in diastereomerically pure forms by the stereoselective cleavage of eight diastereomerically pure 4,5-epoxycholestane-3,6-diols with LiAlH4, in high yields on multigram scales and without chromatography for most of them. However, applying various reportedly successful combinations of a hydride donor and a Lewis acid to the same substrates under a variety of conditions failed to generate a single unsubstituted cholestane-3,4,6-triol. The products of the eight cholestane-3,5,6-triol stereoisomers will serve as a good probe in the study of biological functions of oxysterols in a biological process.

MeSH terms

  • Cholestanes / chemistry*
  • Cholestanols / chemistry*
  • Cholesterol / chemistry*
  • Hydroxycholesterols / chemistry
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Cholestanes
  • Cholestanols
  • Hydroxycholesterols
  • Cholesterol