SIMPLE PREPARATIONS OF 5β-PREGNANE-3α,17α,20α-TRIOL AND 5β-PREGNANE-3α,11β,17α,20α-TETROL

Abstract
SUMMARY: 5β-Pregnane-3α,17α,20α-triol and 5β-pregnane-3α,11β,17α,20α-tetrol (commonly called 'pregnanetriol' and 'pregnanetetrol') have been prepared by reduction with lithium aluminium hydride of the corresponding 20-ketone and 11,20-diketone, respectively, and separation of the products by partition chromatography on a Celite column. In the latter case, the four isomeric tetrols were separated completely using a partition column treated with boric acid. The behaviour on paper chromatograms of the triols and tetrols is discussed.