Secosteroid

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cholecalciferol (D3)
Cholecalciferol (D3)
Ergocalciferol (D2)
Ergocalciferol (D2)
Steroid skeleton. Note how the "B" ring is broken in Vitamin D.
Steroid skeleton. Note how the "B" ring is broken in Vitamin D.

A secosteroid is a molecule similar to a steroid but with a "broken" ring.

Secosteroids are very similar in structure to steroids except that two of the B-ring carbon atoms (C9 and 10) of the typical four steroid rings are not joined, whereas in steroids they are.

In humans, the most important secosteroid is Vitamin D.

[edit] External links


 This article about an organic compound is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Languages