1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance assignment of fluorescent olefinic sterol derivatives for use as membrane probes

Abstract

A number of fluorescent steroids with unsaturated sidechains have been analyzed by high resolution 1H and 13C nmr spectroscopy. The geometry of the olefinic systems was assigned on the basis of 1H–1H shift-correlated spectra (COSY) and selected nOe difference experiments. For one of these compounds, a 13C–1H shift-correlated spectrum, a COSY spectrum, a 1H J-resolved spectrum as well as nOe experiments on the angular methyl groups permitted complete ring proton assignment and coupling constant analysis. The high degree of similarity of the ring carbon 13C chemical shifts of these steroids and cholesterol would indicate that the former have the potential for use as fluorescent probes of cholesterol domains in membranes.