Reversed‐phase high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography of mono‐, di‐ and trisubstituted bile acid methyl esters

Abstract
A comparative study is reported on separation of series of mono‐, di‐, and trisubstituted methyl 5β‐cholanates, which differ only in the position and stereochemistry of hydroxyl or keto groups at position and stereochemistry of hydroxyl or keto groups at positions C‐3, C‐7, and/or C‐12, by reversed‐phase [with chemically‐bonded (C‐18) silica gel] and normal‐phase (silica gel) high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC). Methnol (or acetonitrile)/water systems were employed as mobile phase. Reversed‐phase HPTLC found to be particulary effective for separation of the stereoisomers of di‐ and trisubstituted compounds whereas the less polar monosubstituted isomers are well resolved in normal‐phase HPTLC.