Transformation of cholanic acid derivatives into pharmacologically active esters of phenolic acids by heterogeneous Wittig reaction.
Steroid esters of cynnamic acid derivatives have been synthesized by a heterogeneous Wittig reaction under sonochemical conditions from the corresponding triphenylphosphonium bromides and unprotected phenolic aldehyds using K2CO3 as a base. 5 beta-Cholan-3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha, 24-E-ferulate (11') exhibited a marked inhibitory effect on influenza virus A. The synthetic 3 alpha, 24-E-diferulates of 5 beta-cholan-3 alpha, 24- diol, 5 beta-cholan-3 alpha, 12 alpha, 24-triol and 5 beta-cholan-3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha, 24-tetrol (8, 9 and 12) showed antitumor activity on leukemia P-388 in mice.