Distinction Between 17-Epimeric Hydroxy Steroids of the 3,17-Dioxygenated Androstane Series by Chemical Ionization

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/oms.1210200808

The distinction between 17-epimeric 3,17-dioxygenated hydroxyandrostanes has been made by comparison of both their methane or ammonia positive and OH^- negative chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra.In the methane or ammonia positive CI, the 17α-configuration in the eight stereoisomeric 5ξ-androstane-3ξ,17ξ-diols can be determined by the relative abundances of the ion ⁺.In the ammonia CI spectra, the ion ⁺ possesses only a low abundance, but a comparison of the relative rates of the loss of water v. the loss of ammonia from ⁺ in the second field -free region allows a clear distinction to be made between the 17α- and 17β-series.In the OH^- negative CI mass spectra, the 5ξ-androstane-3-one-17ξ-ols produce an intense ion ^- in the 17α-series only.