Efficient photochemical formation of 1 alpha-hydroxyprevitamin D3

Control of the band width of the irradiating light between 280 and 310 nm and of the temperature of the reaction permits formation of 1 alpha-hydroxyprevitamin D3 in yields of over 80%, at 40-60% conversion of the 1 alpha-hydroxyprovitamin D3. The procedures developed permit doubling the photochemical yield of the 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 compounds which are the major circulatory forms of vitamin D3.