5-beta-Pregnan-3-alpha, 20-beta-diol

Crystallise pregnane-diol (which is abundant in the urine of pregnant women) from EtOH or Me2CO and dry it in vacuo. It can be oxidised to progesterone (see below) and it is not precipitated by digitonin. Its diacetate [6100-28-3] has m 112-113o and [] D 26 +60o (c 1, CHCl3). It is a progesterone metabolite in urine during pregnancy. [Marian Biochem J 23 1090 1929, Johnson et al. J Chem Soc1302 1954, Mattox et al. J Org Chem 32 708 1967, Beillstein 6 III 4778, 6 IV 6111.]