Synthesis and receptor binding properties of 2beta-alkynyl and 2beta-(1,2,3-triazol)substituted 3beta-(substituted phenyl)tropane derivatives

A series of 2beta-alkynyl and 2beta-(1,2,3-triazol)substituted 3beta-(substituted phenyl)tropanes were synthesized and evaluated for affinities at dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine membrane transporters using competitive radioligand binding assays. All tested compounds were found to exhibit nanomolar or subnanomolar affinity for the dopamine transporter (DAT). One of the most potent and selective compounds in the series was 3beta-(4-chlorophenyl)-2beta-(4-nitrophenylethynyl)tropane (10c) that possessed an IC(50) value of 0.9nM at the DAT and K(i) values of 230nM and 620nM at the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and serotonin transporter (5-HTT), respectively.     

Synthesis and biological characterization of 1alpha,24,25-trihydroxy-2beta-(3-hydroxypropoxy)vitamin D(3) (24-hydroxylated ED-71)

24-Hydroxylated derivatives were synthesized in 24(R) and 24(S) forms by the convergent method as analogs related to 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-2beta-(3-hydroxypropoxy)vitamin D(3). In the convergent synthesis, the A-ring fragment, synthesized from diethyl D-tartarate, and the C/D-ring fragments in 24(R) and 24(S) forms (vitamin D numbering), obtained from vitamin D(2) via the Inhoffen-Lythgoe diol, were coupled in moderate yields to give 1alpha,24(R),25-trihydroxy-2beta-(3-hydroxypropoxy)vitamin D(3) and 1alpha,24(S),25-trihydroxy-2beta-(3-hydroxypropoxy)vitamin D(3). In preliminary biological evaluations, 24-hydroxylation of 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-2beta-(3-hydroxypropoxy)vitamin D(3) caused weakened affinity to vitamin D binding protein in vitro and less calcemic activity in vivo compared to the parent compound. While the affinity to vitamin D receptor in 24(R) epimer was sustained, the affinity in 24(S) epimer was less than that of the parent compound.     

Synthesis of beta-(1-->6)-branched beta-(1-->3) glucohexaose and its analogues containing an alpha-(1-->3) linked bond with antitumor activity

A beta-(1-->6)-branched beta-(1-->3)-glucohexaose, present in many biologically active polysaccharides from traditionally herbal medicines such as Ganoderma lucidum, Schizophyllum commune and Lentinus edodes, was synthesized as its lauryl glycoside 32, and its analogues 18, 20 and 33 containing an alpha-(1-->3) linked bond were synthesized. It is interesting to find that coupling of a 3,6-branched acylated trisaccharide trichloroacetimidate donor 9 with 3,6-branched acceptors 13 and 16 with 3'-OH gave the alpha-(1--> 3)-linked hexasaccharides 17 and 19, respectively, in spite of the presence of C-2 ester capable of neighboring group participation. However, coupling of 9 with 4-methoxyphenyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-beta-D-glucopyranoside (27) selectively gave beta-(1-->3)-linked tetrasaccharide 28. Simple chemical transformation of the tetrasaccharide 28 gave acylated tetrasaccharide trichloroacetimidate 29. Coupling of 29 with lauryl (1-->6)-linked disaccharide 26 with 3-OH gave beta-(1-->3)-linked hexasaccharide 30 as the major product. Bioassay showed that in combination with the chemotherapeutic agent cyclophospamide (CPA), the hexaose 18 at a dose of 0.5-1mg/kg substantially increased the inhibition of S(180) for CPA, but decreased the toxicity caused by CPA. Some of these oligosaccharides also inhibited U(14) noumenal tumor in mice effectively.     

Synthesis and monoamine transporter binding properties of 2beta-[3'-(substituted benzyl)isoxazol-5-yl]- and 2beta-[3'-methyl-4'-(substituted phenyl)isoxazol-5-yl]-3beta-(substituted phenyl)tropanes

A series of 2beta-[3'-(substituted benzyl)isoxazol-5-yl]- and 2beta-[3'-methyl-4'-(substituted phenyl)isoxazol-5-yl]-3beta-(substituted phenyl)tropanes were prepared and evaluated for affinities at dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporters using competitive radioligand binding assays. The 2beta-[3'-(substituted benzyl)isoxazol-5-yl]-3beta-(substituted phenyl)tropanes (3a-h) showed high binding affinities for the dopamine transporter (DAT). The IC(50) values ranged from 5.9 to 22nM. On the other hand, the 2beta-[3'-methyl-4'-(substituted phenyl)isoxazol-5-yl]-3beta-(substituted phenyl)tropanes (4a-h), with IC(50) values ranging from 65 to 173nM, were approximately 3- to 25-fold less potent than the corresponding 2beta-[3'-(substituted benzyl)isoxazol]tropanes. All tested compounds were selective for the DAT relative to the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and serotonin transporter (5-HTT). 3Beta-(4-Methylphenyl)-2beta-[3'-(4-fluorobenzyl)isoxazol-5-yl]tropane (3b) with IC(50) of 5.9nM at the DAT and K(i)s of 454 and 113nM at the NET and 5-HTT, respectively, was the most potent and DAT-selective analog. Molecular modeling studies suggested that the rigid conformation of the isoxazole side chain in 4a-h might play an important role on their low DAT binding affinities.     

1,3-Dideoxynojirimycin-3-yl glycosides of beta-(1-->3)- and beta-(1-->6)-linked gluco-oligosaccharides

Standard chemical methods involving the use of O-acetylated glycosyl trichloroacetimidates as glycosylating agents were used to prepare the five 1,3-dideoxynojirimycin-3-yl beta-(1-->3)-linked oligo-glucosides (1-5) and also the beta-(1-->6)-bonded glucobiose (gentiobiose)-based analogue 6 as potential fungicides. In the course of the work, the beta-(1-->6), beta-(1-->6)-linked analogue 8 of 6 and 6-O- and 4-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-deoxynojirimycins 7 and 9, respectively, were also produced.     

Synthesis of putative metabolites of 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-2beta-(3-hydroxypropoxy)vitamin D(3) (ED-71)

1alpha,25-Dihydroxy-2beta-(3-hydroxypropoxy)vitamin D(3) (ED-71), an analog of active vitamin D(3), 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] is under phase III clinical trials in Japan for the treatment of osteoporosis and bone fracture prevention. Since ED-71 has a substituent at the 2beta-position of the A-ring, it is recognized that the metabolic pathway of ED-71 might be more complicated than 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) because of metabolism at the 2beta-position substituent in addition to the inherent metabolism of the side chain. To clarify the metabolism of hydroxypropoxy substituent of the 2beta-positon and a combination of metabolism between side chain and 2beta-positon, four putative metabolites of ED-71 have been prepared as authentic samples. The metabolites at the 2beta-positon, the methyl ester derivative considered as an ester standard of the oxidized metabolite and the tetraol derivative as the truncated metabolite were synthesized from alpha-epoxide, a key intermediate of ED-71 synthesis. The combination metabolites between side chain and 2beta-positon, the 24(S)- and 24(R)-pentaols were synthesized using Trost's convergent method.     

Syntheses of beta-(1-->6)-branched beta-(1-->3)-linked d-galactans that exist in the rhizomes of Atractylodes lancea DC

Effective syntheses of galactose hepta-, octa-, nona-, and decasaccharides that exist in the rhizomes of Atractylodes lancea DC were achieved with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-alpha-d-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (1), 4-methoxyphenyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside (2), 6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-d-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (5), 4-methoxyphenyl 6-O-acetyl-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside (22), and 4-methoxyphenyl 2,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside (26) as the key synthons. Coupling of 2 with 1, followed by oxidative cleavage of 1-OMP and subsequent trichloroacetimidate formation gave the beta-(1-->6)-linked disaccharide donor 4. Condensation of 2 with 5 and subsequent selective deacetylation by methanolysis produced the beta-(1-->6)-linked disaccharide acceptor 7. Reaction of 7 with 4, oxidative cleavage of 1-OMP, and trichloroacetimidate formation produced the tetrasaccharide donor 9. The penta- (15), the hexa- (17), and the heptasaccharide donor 19 were synthesized similarly. Meanwhile, treatment of 1 with 22 yielded beta-(1-->3)-linked disaccharide 23 and alpha-(1-->3)-linked disaccharide 25. Oxidative cleavage of 1-OMp of 23 followed by trichloroacetimidate formation produced the disaccharide donor 24. Coupling of 26 with 24, again, gave beta-linked 27 and alpha-linked 29. Selective 6-O-deacetylation of 27 afforded the trisaccharide acceptor 28. TMSOTf-promoted condensation 28 of with the tetra- (9), penta- (15), hexa-(17), and heptasaccharide donor 19, followed by deprotection, gave the target compounds.     

Synthesis of divalent beta-(1-->6)-branched (1-->3)-glucohexaose and trivalent beta-(1-->6)-branched (1-->3)-glucotriose

Hexaose, beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->6)]-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->6)]-beta-D-Glcp, based dimers were synthesized by twofold glycosidation of the hexaosyl trichloroacetimidate with hexylene 1,6-diol, diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol, respectively. Meanwhile, a triose, beta-1D-Glcp-(1-->3)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->6)]-beta-D-Glcp, based trimer was obtained by glycosidation of the triosyl trichloroacetimidate with a glycerol-derived triol scaffold.     

Substrate specificities of exo- and endo-type cellulases in the hydrolysis of beta-(1----3)- and beta-(1----4)-mixed D-glucans

An exo-type cellulase (Ex-1) was extracted from Irpex lacteus (Polyporus tulipiferae) and purified essentially to homogeneity. This cellulase attacked cellulosic substrates in an exo-wise fashion to produce almost exclusively cellobiose. In contrast, Ex-1 was found to attack beta-glucans having beta-(1----3)- and beta-(1----4)-mixed linkages in a way similar to an endo-type cellulase. The products formed from barley glucan by Ex-1 were 3(2)-O-beta-D-cellobiosyl-cellobiose much greater than 3(2)-O-beta-D-glucosyl-cellobiose greater than cellobiose much greater than or equal to cellotriose much greater than glucose in the early stage, but no laminaribiose was produced. An endo-type cellulase (En-1) obtained from the same fungus also hydrolyzed beta-glucans but in a typical endo-wise fashion and the products from barley glucan were 3(2)-O-beta-D-glucosyl-cellobiose much greater than 3(2)-O-beta-D-cellobiosyl-cellobiose greater than cellobiose much greater than laminaribiose; no glucose or cellotriose was produced. Thus, it seems likely that En-1 can attack any intramolecular linkage of beta-glucan, while Ex-1 requires the presence of at least cellobiosyl residues adjacent to a beta-(1----3)-D-linked glucosyl residue. This finding, together with the mode of hydrolysis of cellulosic substrates by Ex-1, suggests that the stereochemical structure of successive beta-(1----4)-cellobiosyl residues inserted by beta-(1----3)-D-glucosidic linkage is permissible in the action of Ex-1, although this enzyme prefers the beta-(1----4)-linked cellobiosyl sequence.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a 3-position diastereomer of 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-2beta-(3-hydroxypropoxy)vitamin D3 (ED-71)

A 3-position diastereomer of 1alpha,25-dihydroxy-2beta-(3-hydroxypropoxy)vitamin D3 (ED-71, 2), 3-epi-ED-71 (4), was synthesized by the convergent method coupling the A-ring fragment (5) with the C/D-ring fragment (6). As the results of preliminary in vitro biological evaluation of 3-epi-ED-71 (4), the inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion in bovine parathyroid cells and binding affinity to human recombinant vitamin D receptor and to human vitamin D binding protein in comparison with ED-71 (2), 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3, 1), and 3-epi-1,25(OH)2D3 (3) are described.     

Concise syntheses of arabinogalactans with beta-(1-->6)-linked galactopyranose backbones and alpha-(1-->3)- and alpha-(1-->2)-linked arabinofuranose side chains

4-methoxyphenyl glycosides of 2,3'-bis-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl branched beta-D-(1-->6)-linked galactopyranosyl tetraose (16), 3',2'-bis-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl branched beta-D-(1-->6)-linked galactopyranosyl hexaose (27), and a twentyose (42) consisting of beta-(1-->6)-linked D-galactopyranosyl pentadecaoligosaccharide backbone with alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl side chains alternately attached at C-2 and C-3 of the middle galactose residue of each consecutive beta-(1-->6)-linked galactotriose unit of the backbone, were synthesized with isopropyl 3-O-allyl-2,4-di-O-benzoyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside (6), 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (7), 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl trichloroacetimidate (12), 6-O-acetyl-2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (17), 4-methoxyphenyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (19), and 2,6-di-O-acetyl-3,4-di-O-benzoyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (28) as the key synthons. Condensation of 6 with 7 gave the disaccharide donor 8, and subsequent condensation of 8 with 4-methoxyphenyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->6)-2-O-acetyl-3,4-di-O-benzoyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (9) followed by selective deacetylation afforded the tetrasaccharide acceptor 11. Coupling of 11 with 12 gave the pentasaccharide 13, its deallylation followed by coupling with 12, and debenzoylation gave the hexasaccharide 16 with beta-(1-->6)-linked galactopyranose backbone and 2- and 3'-linked alpha-L-arabinofuranose side chains. The octasaccharide 27 was similarly synthesized, while the twentyoside 42 was synthesized with tetrasaccharides 33 or 24 as the donors and 23, 36, 38, and 40 as the acceptors by consecutive couplings followed by deacylation.     

Synthesis of glycerophosphorylated cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans by Rhizobium meliloti ndv mutants.

The periplasmic cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans of Rhizobium spp. are believed to provide functions during hypoosmotic adaptation and legume nodulation. In Rhizobium meliloti, cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans are synthesized at highest levels when cells are grown at low osmolarity, and a considerable fraction (> or = 35%) of these glucans may become substituted with phosphoglycerol moieties. Thus far, two chromosomally encoded proteins, NdvA and NdvB, have been shown to function during cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucan biosynthesis; however, the precise roles for these proteins remain unclear. In the present study, we show that R. meliloti mutants lacking up to one-third of the downstream region of ndvB synthesize cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans similar to those produced by wild-type cells with respect to size and phosphoglycerol substituent profile. In contrast, no phosphoglycerol substituents were detected on the cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans synthesized by an R. meliloti ndvA mutant.     

A xylosyltransferase that synthesizes beta-(1-->4)-xylans in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings

A particulate preparation from 6-day-old seedlings of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was found to contain a xylosyltransferase (XylTase) which incorporated xylose (Xyl) from UDP-xylose into exogenous beta-(1-->4)-xylooligosaccharides with 2-aminopyridine-derivatized reducing end groups. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis showed that the chain elongation of pyridylaminated beta-(1-->4)-xylotriose (Xyl3-PA) occurred by attachment of a series of one, two, or three xylosyl residues, depending on substrate concentrations and reaction times. Methylation analysis and beta-xylosidase digestion of the newly synthesized Xyl4-PA confirmed that the xylosyl residues were incorporated through beta-(1-->4)-linkages. The enzyme was maximally active at pH 6.8 and 20 degrees C, and required Triton X-100, which enhanced activity 5-fold at a concentration of 0.05-2%. Divalent ions, including Mn2+ and Mg2+, did not affect activity. Enzyme activity increased with increasing polymerization of xylosyl residues of the acceptor substrates: for instance, Xyl5-PA was almost 7 times as efficient as Xyl2-PA. The apparent Michaelis constants of the enzyme for Xyl3-PA and UDP-xylose were 13.5 and 7.9 mM, respectively. The enzyme also catalyzed incorporation of radioactive sugars (Xyl together with a small portion of L-arabinose) from UDP-[14C]xylose into higher beta-(1-->4)-xylooligosaccharides (degree of polymerization > 7) with or without (4-O-methyl-)glucuronosyl side chains at activities comparable to those observed for pyridylaminated xylooligosaccharides, and into several heteroxylans but with much lower efficiency. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the product with a beta-xylanase degraded it into mainly xylobiose, providing further evidence that the xylosyl residues are incorporated through beta-(1-->4)-linkages.     

Metabolization of beta-(2,6)-linked fructose-oligosaccharides by different bifidobacteria

Low-molecular-mass beta-(2,6)-linked fructose-oligosaccharides (beta-(2,6)-FOS) were examined as a new carbohydrate source for growth of bifidobacteria. beta-(2,6)-FOS were prepared from microbial high-molecular-mass levan by acid hydrolysis and refined by cation-exchange chromatography. (13)C-NMR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of predominantly beta-(2,6)-fructosyl linkages in the oligosaccharides. More than 80% beta-(2,6)-FOS was recovered after in vitro incubation with amylolytic and proteolytic enzymes, implying resistance to degradation in the upper intestinal tract. Bifidobacterium adolescentis, B. longum, B. breve, and B. pseudocatenulatum were studied in vitro for their ability to metabolize beta-(2,6)-FOS. Growth, decrease in pH, formation of short- chain fatty acids (lactate, acetate, formate) and degradation of beta-(2,6)-FOS were markedly different among species. B. adolescentis showed the best growth, produced the highest amounts of organic acids and metabolized both short- and long-chain beta-(2, 6)-FOS.     

Excessive excretion of cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucan by Rhizobium trifolii TA-1

At 25 degrees C, the optimal temperature for growth of Rhizobium trifolii TA-1, extracellular and capsular polysaccharide (EPS and CPS) were the main carbohydrate products synthesized in mannitol-rich medium (10 g of mannitol and 1 g of glutamic acid per liter). In the same medium at 33 degrees C, EPS and CPS production was inhibited, and up to 3.9 g of cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucan was produced during an incubation period of 20 days with a total biomass of 0.55 g of protein. In a medium containing 50 g of mannitol and 10 g of glutamic acid per liter, high cell densities (3.95 g of protein) were obtained at 25 degrees C. This biomass excreted 10.9 g of cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucan within 10 days. Concomitantly, 4.8 g of EPS were synthesized, while CPS production was strongly suppressed. The excreted cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans were neutral and had degrees of polymerization ranging from 17 to 25, with a degree of polymerization of 19 as the major glucan cycle.     

Enzymatic synthesis of 4-methylumbelliferyl (1-->3)-beta-D-glucooligosaccharides-new substrates for beta-1,3-1,4-D-glucanase

The transglycosylation reactions catalyzed by beta-1,3-D-glucanases (laminaranases) were used to synthesize a number of 4-methylumbelliferyl (MeUmb) (1-->3)-beta-D-gluco-oligosaccharides having the common structure [beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)](n)-beta-D-Glcp-MeUmb, where n=1-5. The beta-1,3-D-glucanases used were purified from the culture liquid of Oerskovia sp. and from a homogenate of the marine mollusc Spisula sachalinensis. Laminaran and curdlan were used as (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan donor substrates, while MeUmb-beta-D-glucoside (MeUmbGlcp) was employed as a transglycosylation acceptor. Modification of [beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)](2)-beta-D-Glcp-MeUmb (MeUmbG(3)) gives 4,6-O-benzylidene-D-glucopyranosyl or 4,6-O-ethylidene-D-glucopyranosyl groups at the non-reducing end of artificial oligosaccharides. The structures of all oligosaccharides obtained were solved by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The synthetic oligosaccharides were shown to be substrates for a beta-1,3-1,4-D-glucanase from Rhodothermus marinus, which releases MeUmb from beta-di- and beta-triglucosides and from acetal-protected beta-triglucosides. When acting upon substrates with d.p.>3, the enzyme exhibits an endolytic activity, primarily cleaving off MeUmbGlcp and MeUmbG(2).     

Synthesis and monoamine transporter affinity of front bridged tricyclic 3beta-(4'-halo or 4'-methyl)phenyltropanes bearing methylene or carbomethoxymethylene on the bridge to the 2beta-position

A series of front bridged tricyclic 3beta-(4'-halo or 4'-methyl)phenyltropanes bearing methylene or carbomethoxymethylene on the bridge to the 2beta-position was synthesized, and their binding affinities were determined in cells transfected to express human norepinephrine transporter (NET), serotonin transporter (SERT), and dopamine transporter (DAT) via competition binding assays. All compounds studied in this series exhibit a moderate to high potency at all three transporters with SERT or DAT selectivity. 3beta-(4'-iodo)phenyltropane bearing methylene on the bridge to the 2beta-position (24) presents a particularly attractive pharmacological profile, with very high SERT affinity (K(i) = 0.09 nM) and selectivity versus NET (65-fold) and DAT (94-fold).     

Excessive excretion of cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucan by Rhizobium trifolii TA-1.

At 25 degrees C, the optimal temperature for growth of Rhizobium trifolii TA-1, extracellular and capsular polysaccharide (EPS and CPS) were the main carbohydrate products synthesized in mannitol-rich medium (10 g of mannitol and 1 g of glutamic acid per liter). In the same medium at 33 degrees C, EPS and CPS production was inhibited, and up to 3.9 g of cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucan was produced during an incubation period of 20 days with a total biomass of 0.55 g of protein. In a medium containing 50 g of mannitol and 10 g of glutamic acid per liter, high cell densities (3.95 g of protein) were obtained at 25 degrees C. This biomass excreted 10.9 g of cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucan within 10 days. Concomitantly, 4.8 g of EPS were synthesized, while CPS production was strongly suppressed. The excreted cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans were neutral and had degrees of polymerization ranging from 17 to 25, with a degree of polymerization of 19 as the major glucan cycle.     

Synthesis and monoamine transporter affinity of 3beta-(4-(2-pyrrolyl)phenyl)-8-azabicycl

3Beta-(5-indolyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes display potent binding affinity for both the dopamine and serotonin transporters, while certain 3beta-(4-(2-pyrrolyl)phenyl)-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes selectively bind to the serotonin transporter.     

Synthesis of 17 beta-[(1S)-1-hydroxy-2-propynyl]- and 17 beta-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-2-propynyl]androst-4-en-3-one. Potential suicide substrates of 20 alpha- and 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases.

The title compounds have been synthesized for evaluation as potential suicide substrates of 20 alpha- and 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. Synthesis was achieved by the following route. Acetylenedimagnesium bromide was reacted with 3 beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-17 beta-carboxaldehyde to give 17 beta-[(1R,S)-1-hydroxy-2-propynyl] androst-4-en-3 beta-ol. Separation of the R and S diols was achieved by HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography). Selective oxidation of the 3 beta-hydroxyl group with Jones reagent at 0 degrees gave the title compounds. Further oxidation with Jones reagent converted each acetylenic alcohol to the conjugated acetylenic ketone, 17 beta-(1-oxo-2-propynyl)androst-4-en-3-one.