Trimethylbromosilane catalyzed trimethylsilylation of slowreacting hydroxy- and oxosteroids in gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis

L. Aringer, P. Eneroth, J. Å Gustafsson

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42 Scopus citations

Abstract

The trimethylsilylation of different hydroxy- and oxosteroids has been studied using hexamethyldisilazane and trimethylbromosilane instead of trimethylchlorosilane as the catalyst. Steroids with hydroxyl groups in positions 3, 11, 17, 20 and 21 (e.g. α- and β-cortol), react to form persilylated derivatives in high yields in 24 hours at room temperature. Steroid ketones easily react to form enol trimethylsilyl ethers. Significant enolization of a 17-oxo-(dehydroepiandrosterone) and a 20-oxo- (pregnenolone) group occurred after 5 minutes, and within 30 minutes of an 11-oxo compound (3α,20β-dihydroxy-5β-pregnan-11-one). After 3 hours a complete enol trimethylsilylation was obtained with pregnenolone but not with dehydroepiandrosterone. No complete persilylation was obtained with 11-oxo- or 20-oxo-17α-hydroxy compounds within 24 hours. It is recommended that the trimethylbromosilane reagent is used after conventional trimethylsilylation of polyhydroxy steroids. It is advisable that 3- and 20-oxo-steroids are converted into O-methyloxime derivatives before persilylation is made with the trimethylbromosilane reagent.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)377-398
Number of pages22
JournalSteroids
Volume17
Issue number1-5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1971

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

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