The chlorination of Olean-12-enes

Abstract

Chlorination of members of the β-amyrin group of triterpenes by passing a mixture containing nitrosyl chloride and chlorine into a solution of the triterpene in pyridine has yielded the corresponding 12-chloro derivative. Members of the α-amyrin group did not react under the conditions used. The N.M.R. and mass spectra of the 12-chloroolean-12- enes are discussed.