On the oxidation of cholesterol by molecular oxygen

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Abstract
The formation of "oxycholesterol" on heating cholesterol in the air at temp. slightly above the melting point, or on aeration of cholesterol suspensions is due to the action of the atmospheric 0. Suspensions of pure cholesterol are, even at boiling temp., very stable against the O of the air. Impurities stubbornly adhering to the cholesterol catalyse the formation of oxycholesterol on aeration. Alkali soaps have a marked catalyzing effect on the oxidation of cholesterol by molecular O. The action of the soaps in all probability is mainly due to their peptizing action on the cholesterol. The observations made call attention to the great importance of the colloidal state of the cholesterol[long dash]especially its degree of dispersion[long dash]for the oxidizability of the substance by molecular 0.

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