Abstract
Ilexol, a new triterpenoid alcohol isolated from the barks of several species of the Genus Ilex, has now been oxidized with chromium trioxide to yield a ketone, designated as ilexone of C30H48O, m. p. 239.5-240.5°, and [α]14D-68.74°, which gives oxime of m. p. 256.5-257.5°, 2, 4-dinitrophenyihydrazone of m.p. 260-261°, and positive Zimmermann test.
On reduction with sodium and ethanol as well ai with lithium aluminum hydride, it has been shown that ilexone is regenerated to yield an alcohol proved to be identical with natural ilexol.
On reduction according to the procedure of Huang-Minlon, ilexone has been shown to yield an oxygen-free compound, designated as ilexene of C30H50, and m. p. 241-242°.
It seems most likely that ilexol might be a triterpenoid alcohol of C30H49OH, an alcoholic hydroxyl group of which is secondary in nature, and moreover attached at C-3 in its molecule.
