The reaction of 5alpha-cholestan-6alpha-ol with phosphorus pentachloride and with thionyl chloride.

GC analysis of the reaction product of 5alpha-cholestan-6alpha-ol and phosphorus pentachloride indicated the presence of 6alpha-chloro-5alpha-cholestane, 6beta-chloro-5alpha-cholestane, 5,6beta-dichloro-5alpha-cholestane, and traces of cholest-5-ene; a computerised GC-MS system furnished visual reproductions of the gas chromatograms, but failed to yield corresponding mass chromatograms because of decomposition of the chlorides in the molecular separator. GC analysis of the reaction product of 5alpha-cholestan-6alpha-ol and thionyl chloride showed the formation of 6alpha-chloro-5alpha-cholestane, cholest-5-ene, 5-chloro-5alpha-cholestane, and traces of four unidentified substances, whilst the GC-MS system furnished visual reproductions of the gas chromatograms, but again failed to yield corresponding mass chromatograms.