Synthesis of cholesterol analogs having varying length alkyl side chains including cholesterol-23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 26, 26, 26, 27, 27, 27-d(11) as probes of cholesterol's functions and properties.

Cholesterol-23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 26, 26, 26, 27, 27, 27-d11 and nondeuterated long-chain analogs of cholesterol were prepared by alkylation of cyano-containing sterols with isopentyl-d11 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (1.0equiv.) or with isoalkyl bromides, followed by reductive decyanation with excess potassium metal and a crown ether in toluene. The products are potentially useful probes of the role of the side-chain of cholesterol in the sterol's interactions with membrane lipids and proteins.