Isocholesterine

E[rnst]. Schulze (Berl. Ber., 12, 249) has determined the specific rotation of isocholesterine (found by the author, associated with cholesterine, in the fat from sheep’s wool). This substance is dextro-rotatory, whereas cholesterine is laevo-rotatory. An etherial solution of isocholesterine, containing 6.453 gms in 100 cc, showed in the 200 mm tube of a Soleil-Ventzke polariscope, a rotation of 22°; a solution of half the strength rotated 11.25°. A solution of another preparation, containing 7.344 gms in 100 cc, showed a rotation of 25.5°. From these data, the author deduces for isocholesterine the specific rotation [a]_b = + 60°.

Further analysis has shown that the soluble portion consists mainly of the alcoholic and fat-like body cholesterine, together with isocholesterine, each in the free state, and probably also of compounds of both these bodies with such organic acids as acetic acid. The insoluble portion consists essentially of compounds of cholesterine and isocholesterine with oleïc acid, and in lesser amount with solid fatty acids, e.g., stearic acid and hyæna acid.

Besides cholesterine crude lanolin contains isocholesterine combined with fatty acids, glycerides of the lower fatty acids, cerylcerotate and homologous compounds and the volatile capric and caproic acids.

The soluble portion consists mainly of cholesterine and isocholesterine, together with compounds of these bodies with organic acids. The insoluble portion consists mainly of cholesterine and isocholesterine with oleic and fatty acids.