Extraction and Crystal Structure of Fucosterol

The compound of fucosterol (C 29 H 48 O), an active phytosterol present in many edible marine algae, has been characterized by X-ray diffraction and extensive nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Its stereo configuration is ( E , E )-24-ethylcholest-5,24(28)-dien-3β-ol. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and sp. gr. P 2 1 . There are four C 29 H 48 O molecules and two CH 3 OH molecules in the asymmetric part of the unit cell. They are stacked into a special laminated structure due to hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals forces. Crystallographic data are reported for the first time.