Abstract: The present invention discloses novel method for synthesizing vegan cholesterol and vitamin D3 from inexpensive crude phytosterol.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved and efficient process for synthesis of vitamin D3 and its analogue Calcifediol from Ergosterol. Particularly, the present invention discloses the synthesis of key intermediate 3?-tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy-22-hydroxy-23,24-bisnorchola-5,7-diene (5), and novel intermediate ?-tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy-22-iodo-23,24-bisnorchola-5,7-diene (9) by a simple and cost effective process. The industrially viable processes for preparation of said intermediate(s) results in providing provitamins with various side chains and the desired products in high yield.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel method for synthesizing vegan 25-OH cholesterol/Calcifediol from inexpensive crude phytosterol. According to the method, Phytosterols are reacted to form corresponding i-steroid through tosylation and methanolysis. i-steroid on reductive ozonolysis to C-22 alcohol and conversion via C-22 tosylate to C-22 iodide in good yield. Coupling of C-22 tosylate with Grignard reagent of 4-bromo-2-methyl-2-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]butane followed by deprotection yielded 25-OH cholesterol. In a process variant, nickel mediated conjugate addition of C-22 iodide to an electron deficient alkene ethyl acrylate and treating corresponding ester with methyl magnesium bromide as means of installing the side chain of 25-OH cholesterol in high yield. Further bromination reaction of 25-OH cholesterol diacetate followed by dehydrobromination using TBAF yielded 25-OH 7-dehydrocholesterol.