Stereospecific epoxidation by air of cholest-5-ene derivatives catalysed by a ruthenium porphyrin
Abstract
A ruthenium porphyrin catalyses the epoxidation of several cholest-5-ene derivatives by air in high yield and with nearly complete β-stereospecificity; C-3-unprotected cholesterol is unaffected, but cholesteryl acetate gives nearly pure (>99%) 5β,6β-epoxide.