X-ray structure determination of a chiral synthon, essential for the synthesis of 25-2H-stigmasterol

Synthesis of sterols with varying side chains, including deuterium labeled stigmasterol and sitosterol may be performed via the Wittig-Horner coupling of a 22 aldehyde derived from stigmasterol and a suitable sulfoxide derivative of the side chain. The X-ray structure determination of this synthon have been performed since it is a crucial step in order to know the absolute configuration of the chiral carbon atoms. Crystallographic data were as follows:a=7.437(2),b=10.103(4),c=10.274(3)Å, ß=100.32(6)^o,=759.4 ų, space group P2₁ (No.4),Z=2,D_c=1.239 g cm^-3.