Abstract
1. Methyl 7(α)-acetoxy-3, 12-diketobisnorcholanate was prepared by a partial synthesis from cholic acid.
2. The new unsaturated acid of m.p. 280-282° (decomp.) obtained from cholic acid by Actinomyces was 7(α)-hydroxy-3, 12-diketobisnorcholadienic acid. This conclusion is based on the fact that the new acid yielded acetate of hydrogenated methyl ester which is identical with methyl 7(α)-acetoxy-3, 12-diketobisnorcholanate obtained from cholic acid.
3. The new acid gave two different hydrogenated methyl esters corresponding to methyl 7(α)-hydroxy-3, 12-diketobisnorcholanate, but the melting point of neither one was depressed below the original melting point of the methyl ester.
