Preparation of (4′S) and (4′R)-Spiro(oxirane-2-4′-5α-cholestan-3′β-ol), Potent Inhibitors of 4-Methyl Sterol Oxidase

Abstract

(4′R)- and (4′S)-Spiro(oxirane-2,4′-5α-cholestan-3′β-ol) (1) and (2) were made from (4′R)- and (4′S)-spiro(oxirane-2,4′-5α-cholestan-3-one) (8) and (9). Alkaline hydrogen peroxide oxidation of 4-methylene-5α-cholestan-3-one (7) gave compounds (8) and (9) as a readily separable (1:1) mixture. Reduction of (9) to (2) provided access to a compound which could not be made by other methods.