An alternative synthesis of 4,4-dimethyl-5 alpha-cholesta-8,14,24-trien-3 beta-ol, an intermediate in sterol biosynthesis and a reported activator of meiosis and of nuclear orphan receptor LXR alpha.

4,4-dimethyl-5 alpha-cholesta-8,14,24-trien-3 beta-ol, a sterol of current biological interest, has been synthesized in six steps from 3 beta-acetoxy-4,4-dimethyl-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one.