Studies on vitamin D and related compounds VI: The synthesis and properties of dihydrotachysterol₃

Abstract

Abstract Whereas dihydrovitamin D 3 I and dihydrovitamin D 3 II can be isolated from the mixtures obtained on reduction of cholecalciferol with sodium and alcohols, attempts to obtain dihydrotachysterol 3 in a crystalline state from such mixtures were unsuccessful. Pure dihydrotachysterol 3 , however, could be obtained by reducing tachysterol 3 with an excess of lithium in liquid ammonia, concentrating by chromatography on alumina, esterification with phenylazobenzoyl chloride and saponification of the ester. Ultra‐violet and infra‐red absorption spectra are given. The capacity of dihydrotachysterol 3 to raise the calcium level of the blood (plasma) proved to be about twice as large as that of dihydrotachysterol 2 .