Methyl-3-oxochola-1,4,22-trien-24-oate, C25H34O3, is a naturally occurring
steroid, the configuration at C20 of which has not yet been determined. Her
e we report the synthesis and the crystal structure analysis via X-ray diff
raction of the 20R-epimer. Comparison with data reported for the natural pr
oduct indicates a different configuration.