Structure of Lanostenol

RECENTLY, the molecular structure of lanostadienol (lanosterol), C 30 H 50 O, an important ‘triterpenoid’ constituent of wool-wax, has been studied intensively. Ruzicka et al. 1 and Barton, McGhie et al. 2 have suggested three possible formulæ and, considering the evidence available, were unable to...

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Published in:Nature (London) 1952-08, Vol.170 (4321), p.321-322
Main Authors: CURTIS, R. G, FRIDRICHSONS, J, MATHIESON, A. McL
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Humanities and Social Sciences
letter
multidisciplinary
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
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Summary:RECENTLY, the molecular structure of lanostadienol (lanosterol), C 30 H 50 O, an important ‘triterpenoid’ constituent of wool-wax, has been studied intensively. Ruzicka et al. 1 and Barton, McGhie et al. 2 have suggested three possible formulæ and, considering the evidence available, were unable to decide between them. Earlier, We had begun an X-ray structure analysis to provide unequivocal proof of the molecular structure of lanostadienol. This investigation has provided, in addition, a complete description of the stereochemistry of the molecule, avoiding the complex orthodox methods of stereochemistry. From earlier Work, lanostadienol is known to contain four rings, one inert double-bond and one active double bond in the terminal iso propylidene group of the long side-chain. Hydrogenation of the active double-bond yields lanostenol, and the iodoacetate of this compound 3 was selected as a suitable ‘heavy-atom’ derivative for the structure analysis.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/170321b0