Fractions of trisulfated trihydroxysteroids from the sponges Trachyops
is halichondroides (two different collections) and Cymbastela corallio
phila have been isolated and investigated. Ten triacetates were obtain
ed from these fractions by desulfatation/acetylation followed by chrom
atographic separation, and their structures have been established. Fou
r of these derivatives-namely, trincetates of 5 alpha-pregnane-2 beta,
3 alpha,6 alpha-triol (3c), 23,24-dinor-5 alpha-cholane-2 beta,3 alpha
,6 alpha-triol (4c), 5 alpha-cholest-22-ene-2 beta,3 alpha,6 alpha-tri
ol (7c), and 24-isopropyl-5 alpha-cholestane-2 beta,3 alpha,6 alpha-tr
iol (11c)-are described as new derivatives of natural steroids.