The Chiroptical Properties and Absolute Configuration of 28-nor-$\beta$-amyrins

The existence in nature of two isomers of 28-nortriterpenes is known. One is normal D/E cis form and the other is $17\alpha$-hydrogen D/E trans form. Since the latter cannot exist with ring D in the chair conformation, the chiroptical method is not applicable to determination of the absolute configuration. The stereochemical assignment would now be made by NMR data. Confirmation of this view could be provided by the synthesis of $3\beta, 21\beta-{dihydroxy-16-keto-28-nor-17}\alpha, \;18\beta-{olean-12-ene}$ as a model compound.