Ethanol → 1,3-Dimethyl-2-imidazolinone Ethanol

Participants

Reaction Steps

In an undivided flow-through cell with ruthenized titatium anode and cathode, 1.95 g of 7-ketolithocholic acid was dissolved in an electrolyte made from 0.65 g of lithium chloride, 60 mL of 1,3-dimethyl 2-imidazolidinone and 200 mL of absolute ethanol. The solution in both the cell and the reservoir was kept under nitrogen. Initially, current of up to 4 amperes were passed through the cell but polarization occurred and the current had to be reduced to 400 ma. Electrolysis was continued until 97 coulombs had been delivered. The solvent was removed under high vacuum, and the residue dissolved in 2N sodium hydroxide. The product was precipitated by adding this alkaline solution dropwise to acidic (pH 2.0) water. The recovery was 76.9%. The percent reduction was 36.8. The ratio of ursodeoxycholic acid to chenodeoxycholic acid was 1.45.

Provenance & Evidence