A method for the quantitative fractionation of mixtures of 2-methoxyoestrone, oestrone, ring D α-ketolic oestrogens, oestradiol-17β, 16-<i>epi</i>oestriol and oestriol by partition chromatography and the Girard reaction

Abstract

The object of this investigation was to develop a method for the quantitative fractionation of pure 2-methoxyoestrone, oestrone, ring D oc-ketolic oestrogens, oestradiol-17,B, 16-epioestriol and oes- triol. This required, first, a technique for the Girard reaction which would result in quantitative recoveries, and, secondly, a method whereby the ketonic and non-ketonic oestrogen residues could be separated into fractions by partition chromato- graphy. EXPERIMENTAL