The base-catalysed equilibration of 6α-Nitrocholest-4-ene and 6β-Nitrocholest-4-ene

Abstract

Treatment of 6β-nitrocholest-4-ene with a catalytic amount of sodium methoxide in methanol gave an equilibrium mixture which contained the starting material and the 6α-epimer in a 1 : 1 ratio. The unusual stability of the 6β-epimer is explained by electronic factors.