Hazard
A carcinogen (OSHA).
Description
Estriol is significantly less active than estradiol; however, it has a selective ability to stimulate
blood flow and restoration of genital epithelium. In addition, using this drug reduces
mental symptoms of menopausal syndrome. It is used in the premenopausal and
menopausal periods, for skin atrophy and signs of genital degeneration, and so on.
Definition
ChEBI: A 3-hydroxy steroid that is estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3-ol substituted by additional hydroxy groups at positions 16 and 17 (16alpha,17beta-stereoisomer).
Brand name
Theelol (Parke-Davis).
General Description
Estriol, estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,16 ,17 -triol, is available for compounding into several differentformulations for use in HRT. It can be used alone or in combinationswith estradiol (Bi-Est) or with estradiol and estrone(Tri-Est).
Synthesis
Estriol, estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3,16|á,17|?-triol (28.1.25), is proposed to be synthesized
from the methyl ester of estrone (28.1.8). Methyl ester of estrone is reacted with isopropenylacetate
in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid, forming the corresponding
enolacetate (28.1.23). The resulting enolacetate is oxidized to an epoxide using perbenzoic
acid. The resulting epoxide (28.1.24) undergoes reduction by lithium aluminum hydride to.

Purification Methods
Crystallise estriol from EtOH/ethyl acetate. Also purify it by countercurrent distribution with cyclohexane/EtOAc (1:1) and EtOH/H2O (1:1). The UV (EtOH) has max at 280nm ( 2,090 M-1cm-1). [Huffmann & Lott 71 719 1949, Leeds et al. J Am Chem Soc 76 2943 1954, Beilstein 6 IV 7550.]