Photoconversion of steroids in microreactors
AssigneeInrad, Inc.
InventorsJames R. Fehlner, Dow Firnberg
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Abstract
The photoconversion of steroids is carried out in microreactors to yield desired products, while limiting the formation of undesirable byproducts. The steroid reactant is combined with a microreactor such as solid particles having controlled spaces of appropriate size to provide stereochemical control over the reaction. Appropriate catalyst particles include silica and zeolitic material. The reaction can be conducted in a fluidized bed reactor and the formation of undesirable byproducts can be effectively limited.
Claims27
A method of conducting a chemical reaction of steroidal reactant compounds to yield a selected reaction product, comprising:
- providing a catalyst formed with a plurality of microreactors having a reaction space selectively sized for favoring the production of the selected product, with an average diameter of less than about 30 .ANG.;
- introducing at least one steroidal reactant compound within the reaction space;
- and
- irradiating the reactant compound within the reaction space with radiation of a selected wavelength to photoconvert the reactant to a selected reaction product.
A method of producing previtamin D.sub.3, comprising combining 7-dehydrocholesterol reactant with a microreactor selected from the group consisting of silica material and zeolitic material having a controlled reaction space less than about 30 .ANG. in diameter;
- irradiating the microreactor with the reactant therein with light of a selected wavelength for initiating a photoconversion of the reactant;
- and permitting the 7-dehydrocholesterol to convert to previtamin D.sub.3.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.