A solution of LiOH (187 mg, 4.4 mmol) in H2O (2.0 mL) was added to a solution of compound 2.1a (500 mg, 1.11 mmol) in THF (8 mL) and MeOH (8 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred for 3-4 h 50° C. Upon complete disappearance of the starting material by TLC, the reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum. A mixture of water (10 mL) and 3 N HCl (1 mL) were combined and cooled to 0° C. and then added to the crude product. After stirring for 1 h at 0° C., the precipitated solids were filtered and then washed with water (10 mL) and hexane (20 mL). Drying under vacuum at room temperature provided deoxycholic acid (DCA, 400 mg, 91% yield) as a white solid.
