Separation of androsterone from epiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone from its 3-hydroxy epimer by thin-layer...

The application of thin-layer chromatography to the separation of 13 steroids, including androstanes, 4-androstenes and 5-androstenes, using silica gel and 1,2-propanediol-impregnated cellulose is described. After group-wise separation of various C19 steroids on silica gel, the 3-hydroxy epimers of 5alpha-androstanes and 5-androstenes can be separated by thin-layer chromatography on impregnated cellulose plates. The chromatographic procedure is rapid and makes the prior formation of steroid derivatives unnecessary.