Water → Sodium oleanolate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A 10% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide is added to an almost saturated solution of oleanolic acid in a water immiscible solvent, for example dichloromethane or diethyl ether. The volume of the sodium hydroxide solution is controlled by the amount of oleanolic acid taken; the final mixture should contain at least one, preferably 1,5 to 3, mole sodium hydroxide per mole oleanolic acid--a large excess of the sodium hydroxide solution may lower the yield. The mixture is mixed well (vigorous stirring or shaking) and the precipitated sodium oleanolate is separated. The sodium oleanolate can be recrystallised from aqueous organic solvents, preferably aqueous methanol or aqueous ethanol.

Provenance & Evidence