Deoxycholic Acid → (3.alpha.,5.beta.,12.alpha.)-3,12-dihydroxycholan-24-oic acid(3.alpha.,5.beta.,12.alpha.)-

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A dispersion of deoxycholic acid (1030 g; 2.63 mol) in 98% formic acid (3.72 l) was heated at 60°-70° with stirring for 2 hr. The resulting solution was allowed to cool slowly and was then left at room temperature overnight. It was then concentrated by distillation in vacuo at 40°. After 2 liters of distillate was collected, crystallization began to occur and the mixture was cooled to 15° C. The solids were then collected by filtration, washed with cold formic acid (400 ml) and dried to give 1065 g (90.5%) of 3α,12α-dihydroxycholanic acid, diformate, mp 192°-194°. Concentration of the mother liquors afforded additional material which raised the yield to about 95%.

Provenance & Evidence