Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Assignment and Crystal Structure of 3, 22-Dihydroxyhopane

Pure α- and β- isomers of 3, 22-dihydroxyhopane were obtained by the reduction of hydroxyl protected hydroxyhopanone with L-selectride. The absolute configuration of 3β, 22-hydroxyhopane was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and the unambiguous 1H and 13C NMR data of two isomers were fully assigned for the first time. The preparation method is suitable for the separation of other unseparated α, β-isomers.