Konrad Dobriner

Infrared Spectrometry Applied to Steroid Structure and Metabolism

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates how infrared spectrometry has been utilized in the elucidation of the structure of steroids and in steroid metabolism. The specificity of the infrared spectrum is finding application in connection with problems of steroid synthesis. It has made possible the detection and identification of individual steroids and, in combination with adsorption chromatography, has permitted qualitative and quantitative analyses of complex mixtures of steroids to be performed. By the application of these methods, a considerable number of new steroids have been isolated from human urine. The introduction of deuterium atoms modifies the infrared spectra of steroids and infrared spectrometry is a valuable supplement to mass spectrometry in the detection, analysis, and identification of deuterium enriched compounds. Correlations between the positions of certain of the absorption bands and the molecular structure have been established. These permit the presence of all the functional groups which commonly occur in steroids to be recognized. In the case of carbonyl groups and double bonds, more specific information can also be derived as to their location in the molecule. By the use of microtechniques, it has been made possible to obtain this information on quantities of material of the order of 25 μg.