A Convenient Synthesis Of Lupeol From Betulin

Lupeol is an immense bioactive lupane-type triterpenoid that can be isolated from several different medicinal plants but in low yields. While, betulin, a triterpenoid structurally shares great similarities to lupeol, is present in concentrations as high as 30% of the dried bark of white birch, accounts for up to 78% content of the birch bark extractive. In this study a convenient synthesis of lupeol from betulin was successfully established with an overall yield of 50% in 4 steps. On the basis of this study, betulin from white birch species can be used as an economic and ever available source for lupeol. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.