A Novel Route for the Synthesis of Deoxy Fluoro Sugars and Nucleosides

The reaction of (diethylamino)sulfur trifluoride (DAST) with methyl 5-O-benzoyl-β-D -xylofuranoside ( 1 ) followed by column chromatography afforded the riboside 2 (62%) and the ribo-epoxide 3 (18%) (Scheme 1). Under similar reaction conditions, the α-D -anomer 4 gave the riboside 5 and the difluoride 6 in 60 and 9% yield, respectively. Treatment of the β-D -xyloside 10 with DAST gave, after chromatographic purification, the riboside 11 as the principal product (48%; Scheme 2). These results suggest that the C(3)−O−SF₂NEt₂ derivatives were initially formed in the case of the xylosides studied. The distinctive feature of the reaction of DAST with the β-D -arabinoside 12 consists in the formation of a 3- or 5-benzylideneoxoniumyl-substituted intermediate on one of the consecutive transformations, which finally give rise to the inversion of the configuration at C(3) affording the xylosides 17 (18%) and 18 (55%); the lyxoside 14 was also isolated from the reaction mixture in a yield of 25% (Scheme 3). In the presence of the non-participating 5-O-trityl group, i.e., from the reaction products of 21 with DAST, the compounds 23 and 24 were isolated in 16 and 52% yield, respectively (Scheme 4). It may be thus reasonable to conclude that, in the case of the β-D -arabinosides 12 and 21 , the principal route of the reaction is the formation of the intermediate C(2)−O−SF₂NEt₂ derivative. Unlike 21 , the α-D -arabinoside 26 was converted to the lyxo-epoxide 25 (53%) and the lyxoside 27 (14%), which implies the intermediate formation of the C(3)−O−SF₂NEt₂ derivative (Scheme 5).     

Reactivity of 5,10:8,14-Disecosteroids: An unusual rearrangement of cyclodecene-1,4-dione systems to five-membered-ring spiro-γ-lactones

Upon heating in AcOH, the stereoisomeric (Z)- and (R)-6,9-dioxocyclodex-3-enyl derivatives, 5 and 6 , respectively, obtained by HgO/I₂ oxidation of 5-hydroxy-8-oxo-8,14-seco-5α-androstane-3β,17β-diyl diacetate ( 3 ), undergo an unusual intramolecular rearrangement to give the corresponding unsaturated (5R,9R)- and (5R,9S)-spiro-lactones 7 and 8 , respectively. Hydroxylation of the C?C bond in 7 and 8 , and subsequent glycol cleavage of the resulting diols 9 and 10 afforded the epimeric spiro-lactones (5R,9S)- 11 and (5R,9R)- 14 , respectively, and in both cases, the ring-D-containing fragments 12 and 13 .     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 71. Mitteilung. Die Photoisomerisierung eines spirocyclischen α, β-Epoxyketons

On direct UV. irradiation and on triplet sensitization with acetophenone the spirocyclic epoxyketone (R)-(?)- 9 undergoes racemization (Φ^313/334 0.014, Φ^Sens 0.0060) and rearrangement to the enantiomeric spiro-β-diketones (R)-(+)- 14 (Φ^313/334 0.068, Φ^Sens 0.0037) and (S)-(?)- 14 (Φ^313/334 0.024, Φ^Sens 0.0023). The quantum yield data show that triplet reaction due to intersystem crossing is unimportant on direct irradiation, and they exclude that one common diradical intermediate of type d (Scheme 8) for the three reaction paths is involved in both the singlet and the triplet reaction. The postulate of photolytic Cα? O epoxide cleavage to intermediates of type d for the rearrangement requires that the rate of rearrangement is greater than the rate of rotation around the Cα? Cβ; bond in a given d , and that the rate difference is greater in singlet-generated d than in the triplet analogue. Reclosure of diradicals d and/or photolytic Cα? Cβ cleavage to diradical e and reclosure can account for the racemization of 9 . The optically active spiro-β-diketone 14 was found to racemize also on direct irradiation and on triplet sensitization. Furthermore, both 14 and the isomeric β-diketone 20 , which was obtained by UV. irradiation of the homocyclic epoxyketone 19 , photochemically isomerize to the enol lactones 23 and 21 , respectively.     

5,10:13,14-Disecosteroids: novel modified steroids containing 10- and 9-membered rings

In this paper a synthetic pathway to the modified 5,10:13,14-bisfragmentation cholestane derivatives 8-14 is described. The synthesis involves introduction of the 5α- and 14α-hydroxyl groups in the cholestane molecule and subsequent cleavage of the C(5)-C(10) bond in 5α,14α-dihydroxycholestan-3β-yl acetate (4) with the HgO/I₂ reagent and the C(13)-C(14) bond in the stereoisomeric 14α-hydroxy-5,10-secosteroids 5 and 6 with the Pb(OAc)₄/I₂ reagent. Complete and unambiguous ¹H and ¹³C NMR resonance assignments of the obtained secosteroids, as well as the solution conformations of their 10- and 9-membered rings were determined by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectral data. The structures and the solid-state conformations of 5,10-secosteroids 5-7 were confirmed by X-ray analysis. All diseco-compounds have a novel 5,10:13,14-disecocholestane skeleton.     

Oxidative Fragmentations of the 5α‐ and 5β‐Hydroxy‐B‐norcholestan‐ 3β‐yl Acetates

Oxidations of 5α‐hydroxy‐B‐norcholestan‐3β‐yl acetate ( 8 ) with Pb(OAc)₄ under thermal or photolytic conditions or in the presence of iodine afforded only complex mixtures of compounds. However, the HgO/I₂ version of the hypoiodite reaction gave as the primary products the stereoisomeric (Z)‐ and (E)‐1(10)‐unsaturated 5,10‐seco B‐nor‐derivatives 10 and 11 , and the stereoisomeric (5R,10R)‐ and (5S,10S)‐acetals 14 and 15 (Scheme 4). Further reaction of these compounds under conditions of their formation afforded, in addition, the A‐nor 1,5‐cyclization products 13 and 16 (from 10 ) and 12 (from 11 ) (see also Scheme 6) and the 6‐iodo‐5,6‐secolactones 17 and 19 (from 14 and 15 , resp.) and 4‐iodo‐4,5‐secolactone 18 (from 15 ) (see also Scheme 7). Oxidations of 5β‐hydroxy‐B‐norcholestan‐3β‐yl acetate ( 9 ) with both hypoiodite‐forming reagents (Pb(OAc)₄/I₂ and HgO/I₂) proceeded similarly to the HgO/I₂ reaction of the corresponding 5α‐hydroxy analogue 8 . Photolytic Pb(OAc)₄ oxidation of 9 afforded, in addition to the (Z)‐ and (E)‐5,10‐seco 1(10)‐unsaturated ketones 10 and 11 , their isomeric 5,10‐seco 10(19)‐unsaturated ketone 22 , the acetal 5‐acetate 21 , and 5β,19‐epoxy derivative 23 (Scheme 9). Exceptionally, in the thermal Pb(OAc)₄ oxidation of 9 , the 5,10‐seco ketones 10, 11 , and 22 were not formed, the only reaction being the stereoselective formation of the 5,10‐ethers with the β‐oriented epoxy bridge, i.e. the (10R)‐enol ether 20 and (5S,10R)‐acetal 5‐acetate 21 (Scheme 8). Possible mechanistic interpretations of the above transformations are discussed.     

Photochemical Reactions. 153th communication. Photochemistry of acylsilanes: Photolyses and thermolyses of α,β-epoxy silyl ketones

The photolyses and thermolyses of the α,β-epoxy silyl ketones 5 and 6 are described. On n,π*-excitation, the silyl ketones 5 and 6 were transformed to the ketone 7 and the ketene 8 in quantitative yield. The formation of 8 may be explained by initial cleavage of the C(α)? O bond and subsequent C(1)→C(2) migration of the (t-Bu)Me₂Si group. In contrast to the acylsilanes 5 and 6 , the photolyses of the analogous methyl ketones 11 and 12 gave a very complex mixture of products. On thermolysis, 5 and 6 yielded the ketone 7 and the acetylenic compound 9 , which were probably formed via a siloxycarbene intermediate. In addition, the 1,3-dioxle 10 was formed via an initial C(α)? C(β) bond cleavage leading to the ylide g and subsequent intramolecular addition of the carbonyl group. The analogous 1,3-dioxole 13 was obtained on pyrolysis of the methyl ketones 11 and 12 .     

Microbial Transformation of Sesquiterpenes, (−)‐Ambrox® and (+)‐Sclareolide

The microbial transformation of (?)‐Ambrox^® ( 1 ), a perfumery sesquiterpene, by a number of fungi, by means of standard two‐stage‐fermentation technique, afforded ambrox‐1α‐ol ( 2 ), ambrox‐1α,11α‐diol ( 3 ), ambrox‐1α,6α‐diol ( 4 ), ambrox‐1α,6α,11α‐triol ( 5 ), ambrox‐3‐one ( 6 ), ambrox‐3β‐ol ( 7 ), ambrox‐3β,6β‐diol ( 8 ), 13,14,15,16‐tetranorlabdane‐3,8,12‐triol ( 9 ), and sclareolide ( 10 ) (Schemes 1 and 2). Further incubation of compound 10 with Cunninghamella elegans afforded 3‐oxosclareolide ( 11 ), 3β‐hydroxysclareolide ( 12 ), 2α‐hydroxysclareolide ( 13 ), 2α,3β‐dihydroxysclareolide ( 14 ), 1α,3β‐dihydroxysclareolide ( 15 ), and 3β‐hydroxy‐8‐episclareolide ( 16 ) (Scheme 3). Metabolites 2 – 5, 12, 13 , and 16 were found to be new compounds. The major transformations include a reaction path involving hydroxylation, ether‐bond cleavage and inversion of configuration. Metabolites 11 – 16 of sclareolide showed significant phytotoxicity (Table 1). The structures of the metabolites were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic techniques.     

Two New Diterpenoids from Callicarpa pedunculata

Two new diterpenoids, pedunculatic acid A (= (4R,5α,7α)‐7‐ethoxy‐9β,13β‐dioxyabiet‐8(14)‐en‐18‐oic acid; 1 ) and pedunculatic acid B (= (4S,5α,12β)‐8β,14β‐epoxy‐12‐hydroxy‐11‐oxototaran‐19‐oic acid; 2 ), together with three known sesquiterpenoids, were isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Callicarpa pedunculata R. Brown . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, and by high‐resolution mass spectrometry.     

Withanolides from Physalis alkekengi var. francheti

Two new withanolides, namely (20S,22R)‐15α‐acetoxy‐5α‐chloro‐6β,14β‐dihydroxy‐1‐oxowitha‐2,24‐dienolide ( 1 ) and (22R)‐5β,6β : 14α,17 : 14β,26‐triepoxy‐2α‐ethoxy‐13,20,22‐trihydroxy‐1,15‐dioxo‐16α,24‐cyclo‐13,14‐secoergosta‐18,27‐dioic acid 18→20,27→22‐dilactone ( 2 ), along with six known compounds, physagulin B ( 3 ), withangulatin A ( 4 ), physalin I ( 5 ), withaminimin ( 6 ), physagulin J ( 7 ), and ergosta‐5,25‐diene‐3β,24ξ‐diol ( 8 ), were isolated from the whole plant of Physalis alkekengi var. francheti. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses.     

Palmitoleate (=(9Z)‐Hexadeca‐9‐enoate) Esters of Oleanane Triterpenoids from the Golden Flowers of Tagetes erecta: Isolation and Autoxidation Products

Six oleanane‐type triterpenoid esters were isolated from the golden flowers of Tagetes erecta. Spectral studies characterized their structures as 3‐O‐[(9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoyl]erythrodiol ( 1 ), 11α,12α:13β,28‐diepoxyoleanan‐3β‐yl (9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoate ( 2 ), 13β,28‐epoxyolean‐11‐en‐3β‐yl (9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoate ( 3 ), 28‐hydroxy‐11‐oxoolean‐12‐en‐3β‐yl (9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoate ( 4 ), 3‐O‐[(9Z‐hexadec‐9‐enoyl]‐β‐amyrin ( 5 ), and 11‐oxoolean‐12‐en‐3β‐yl (9Z)‐hexadec‐9‐enoate ( 6 ). Compounds 1 – 4 and 6 are new natural products, while the known 5 was isolated for the first time from the genus Tagetes, from which only one triterpenoid has earlier been obtained. Aerial oxidation (autoxidation) converted amyrin 1 into 2 – 4 and transformed amyrin 5 into 6 . The configuration of 1 – 6 and an autoxidation mechanism (Scheme) involving the formation of the intermediate 11α‐hydroxyolean‐12‐ene derivatives 1b and 5b on thermal decomposition of the labile 11α‐OOH derivatives 1a and 5a , respectively, under neutral conditions are discussed. For the first time, the reactivity of the allylic H? C(11) bond of triterpenoids of type 1 and 5 toward aerial oxidation was observed. The long‐chain ester group at C(3) of 1 and 5 may be responsible for their labile nature, as β‐amyrin ( 7 ), erythrodiol ( 8 ), and ursolic acid were found to be inert toward autoxidation.     

Diterpenoids from the Wood of Cunninghamia konishii

Investigation of the wood of Cunninghamia konishii resulted in the isolation and characterization of one new abietane diterpenoid, (6α,7β)‐7,8‐epoxy‐6‐hydroxyabieta‐9(11),13‐dien‐12‐one ( 1 ), and two new labdane diterpenoids, (12R)‐12‐hydroxylabda‐8(17),13(16),14‐trien‐19‐oic acid ( 2 ) and (12R)‐12‐hydroxylabda‐8(17),13(16),14‐trien‐18‐oic acid ( 3 ). The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data.     

Three New C21 Steroidal Glycosides from the Stems of Marsdenia tenacissima

Three new glycosides, (3β,5α,8α,11α,12β,14β,17α,20R)‐3‐[(2,6‐dideoxy‐4‐O‐(6‐deoxy‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐allopyranosyl)‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐arabino‐hexopyranosyl)oxy]‐12‐O‐tigloyl‐8,20 : 11,20‐diepoxypregnane‐12,14‐diol ( 1 ), (3β,5α,8α,11α,12β,14β,17α,20R)‐3‐[(2,6‐dideoxy‐4‐O‐(6‐deoxy‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐ allopyranosyl)‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐arabino‐hexopyranosyl)oxy]‐12‐O‐(2‐methylbutanoyl)‐8,20 : 11,20‐diepoxypregnane‐12,14‐diol ( 2 ), and (3β,5α,11α,12β,14β,17α)‐12‐acetoxy‐3‐[(2,6‐dideoxy‐4‐O‐(6‐deoxy‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐allopyranosyl)‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐arabino‐hexopyranosyl)oxy]‐20‐oxo‐8,14‐epoxypregnan‐ 11‐yl isobutyrate ( 3 ) were isolated from the stems of Marsdenia tenacissima. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by means of spectral data, including HR‐ESI‐MS, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR.     

Withanolide Compounds from the Flower of Datura metel L.

Three new withanolide compounds named baimantuoluoline A ( 1 ), B ( 2 ), and C ( 3 ) and the two known withanolides withafastuosin E ( 4 ) and withametelin C ( 5 ) were isolated from the fraction exhibiting activity for psoriasis in the flower of Datura metel L. The three new structures were determined as (5α,6α,7α,12β,15β,22R)‐6,7‐epoxy‐5,12,15‐trihydroxy‐1‐oxowitha‐2,24‐dienolide ( 1 ), (5α,6β,15β,22R)‐ 5,6,15,21‐tetrahydroxy‐1‐oxowith‐24‐enolide ( 2 ), and (5α,6β,12β,22R)‐5,6,12,21‐tetrahydroxy‐27‐methoxy‐1‐oxowitha‐2,24‐dienolide ( 3 ) on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data (HR‐ESI‐MS, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) (withanolide=22‐hydroxyergostan‐26‐oic acid δ‐lactone).     

Acid-Catalysed Backbone Rearrangement of cholesta-6,8(14)-dienes

Rearrangement of 5α- and 5β-cholesta-6,8(14)-dienes ( 13a and 13b , resp.) in the presence of anhydrous toluene-4-sulfonic acid in acetic acid leads to 5α- and 5β-12(13 → 14)-abeo-cholesta-8,13(17)-dienes ( 15a and 15b , resp.) via 5α- and 5β-cholesta-8,14-dienes ( 14a and 14b , resp.), respectively. Epimerization at C(20) of the spirosteradienes 15a and 15b occurs with increasing reaction time. Molecular-mechanics calculation of the relative stabilities of these compounds and of congeners thereof is in agreement with the observed reaction pathway.     

Novel Sesquiterpenoids from Siegesbeckia orientalis

Five new sesquiterpenoids, namely, 8β‐(angeloyloxy)‐4β,6α,15‐trihydroxy‐14‐oxoguaia‐9,11(13)‐dien‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 1 ), 4β,6α,15‐trihydroxy‐8β‐(isobutyryloxy)‐14‐oxoguaia‐9,11(13)‐dien‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 2 ), 11,12,13‐trinorguai‐6‐ene‐4β,10β‐diol ( 3 ), (1(10)E,4E,8Z)‐8‐(angeloyloxy)‐6α,15‐dihydroxy‐14‐oxogermacra‐(1(10),4,8,11(13)‐tetraen‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 9 ), and (1(10)E,4β)‐8β‐(angeloyloxy)‐6α,14,15‐trihydroxygermacra‐1(10),11(13)‐dien‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 11 ), and three new artifacts, (1(10)E,4Z)‐8β‐(angeloyloxy)‐9α‐ethoxy‐6α,15‐dihydroxy‐14‐oxogermacra‐1(10),4,11(13)‐trien‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 6 ), (1(10)E,4Z)‐8β‐(angeloyloxy)‐9α,13‐diethoxy‐6α,15‐dihydroxy‐14‐oxogermacra‐1(10),4‐dien‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 7 ), and (1(10)E,4Z)‐8β‐(angeloyloxy)‐9α‐ethoxy‐6α,15‐dihydroxy‐13‐methoxy‐14‐oxogermacra‐1(10),4‐dien‐12‐oic acid 12,6‐lactone ( 8 ), together with the three known sesquiterpenoids 4, 5 , and 10 , were isolated from the aerial parts of Siegesbeckia orientalis L. Their structures were established by spectral methods, especially 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectral methods.     

Sesquiterpenoids from Costus Root Oil (Saussurea lappa CLARKE)

Apart from the well-known constituents (+)-β-selinene ( 2 ), (?)-β-elemene ( 4 ), (+)-β-costol ( 7 ), (?)-caryophyllene ( 17 ), and (?)-elemol ( 19 ) the following sesquiterpenoids have been isolated for the first time from costus root oil (Saussurea lappa CLARKE ): (?)-α-selinene ( 1 ), (+)-selina-4, 11-diene ( 3 ), (?)-α-trans-bergamotene ( 5 ), (?)-α-costol ( 6 ), (+)-γ-costol ( 8 ), (?)-elema-1,3,11 (13)-trien-12-ol ( 9 ), (?)-α-costal ( 11 ), (+)-γ-costal ( 12 ), (+)-γ-costal ( 13 ), (?)-elema-1,3,11 (13)-trien-12-al (elemenal, 14 ), (?)-(E)-trans-bergamota-2, 12-dien-14-al ( 15 ), (?)-ar-curcumene ( 16 ), and (?)-caryophyllene oxide ( 18 ). Compounds 6 , 8 , 9 , and 13 are new sesquiterpenoids. IR. and NMR. spectra of 12 sesquiterpenoids are reproduced.     

Diterpenoide Drüsenfarbstoffe aus Labiaten: Coleone U,V, W und 14-O-Formyl-coleon-V sowie 2 Royleanone aus Plectranthus myrianthus BRIQ.; cis- und trans-A/B-6, 7-Dioxoroyleanon

Leaf-gland Pigments: Coleons U, V, W, 14- O -Formyl-coleon-V, and two Royleanones from Plectranthus myrianthus BRIQ. ; cis - and trans -A/B-6,7-Dioxoroyleanones From leaf-glands of the South-African P. myrianthus (Labiatae) the following diterpenoids have been isolated and their structures established: coleon U, C₂₀H₂₆O₅ (6, 11, 12, 14-tetrahydroxy-abieta-5, 8, 11, 13-tetraene-7-one, 2a ); coleon V, C₂₀H₂₆O₅ (11, 12, 14-trihydroxy-abieta-8, 11, 13-triene-6, 7-dione, 4a ); coleon W, C₂₂H₂₈O₈ (16(or 17)-acetoxy-6, 11, 12, 14, 17 (or 16)-pentahydroxy-abieta-5, 8, 11, 13-tetraene-7-one, 6 ); 14-O-formyl-coleon-V, C₂₁H₂₆O₆ (14-formyloxy-11, 12-dihydroxy-abieta-8, 11, 13-triene-6, 7-dione, 4b ); 7α-formyloxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone, C₂₁H₂₈O₆ (7α-formyloxy-6β, 12-dihydroxy-abieta-8, 12-diene-11, 14-dione, 1a ); the already known 6β, 7α-dihydroxyroyleanone ( 1c ) and a dimeric abietane derivative whose structure is not yet elucidated. This is the first record of a co-occurrence of coleons and royleanones in the same plant. In the course of chemical investigations of 4a and 4b the highly oxidized trans- and cis-A/B-6,7-dioxoroyleanones ( 5a and 5b ) were obtained.     

Four New Podocarpane‐Type Trinorditerpenes from Aleurites moluccana

Four new podocarpane‐type trinorditerpenenes, (5β,10α)‐12,13‐dihydroxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 1 ), (5β,10α)‐12‐hydroxy‐13‐methoxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 2 ), (5β,10α)‐13‐hydroxy‐12‐methoxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 3 ), and (3α,5β,10α)‐13‐methoxypodocarpa‐8,11,13‐triene‐3,12‐diol ( 4 ), together with four known diterpenes, 12‐hydroxy‐13‐methylpodocarpa‐8,11,13‐trien‐3‐one ( 5 ), spruceanol ( 6 ), ent‐3α‐hydroxypimara‐8(14),15‐dien‐12‐one ( 7 ), and ent‐3β,14α‐hydroxypimara‐7,9(11),15‐triene‐12‐one ( 8 ), were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Aleurites moluccana. Their structures were elucidated by means of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including NMR and MS. Except 8 , all compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity; compound 4 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against Raji cells with an IC₅₀ value of 4.24 μg/ml.     

Conformational Studies of (±)‐11,12‐Didehydro‐11‐deoxycorynoline and (+)‐11,13‐Didehydro‐11‐deoxychelidonine,Hexahydrobenzo[c]phenanthridine‐Type Alkaloid Derivatives,by X‐Ray Crystal Structure and NMR Analyses

The X‐ray crystal analyses of the two 11‐deoxy‐didehydrohexahydrobenzo[c]phenanthridine‐type alkaloid derivatives 3 and 4 , derived from (±)‐corynoline ( 1 ) and (+)‐chelidonine ( 2 ), established their structures as (±)‐(5bRS,12bRS)‐5b,12b,13,14‐tetrahydro‐5b,13‐dimethyl[1,3]benzodioxolo[5,6‐c]‐1,3‐dioxolo[4,5‐i]phenanthridine ( 3 ) and (+)‐rel‐(12bR)‐7,12b,13,14‐tetrahydro‐13‐methyl[1,3]benzodioxolo[5,6‐c]‐1,3‐dioxolo[4,5‐i]phenanthridine ( 4 ). The conformations of 3 and 4 in CDCl₃ were determined on the basis of ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-beta,20(R)-dihydroxy-protost-24-ene

The possible lanosterol precursor, 3β, 20(R)-dihydroxy-protost-24-ene ( 1 a ) has been prepared, in thirteen steps, from 3α-hydroxy-4α, 8, 14-trimethyl-18-nor-5α, 8α, 9β, 13ξ, 14β-androstan-17-one (mixture of 2 and 3 ). In vitro experiments with rat liver homogenates failed to convert 1 a to lanosterol.