Preparation of tritium‐labeled compounds. IV. A group of steroids by exposure to tritium gas

Abstract Hydrocortisone, 21‐desoxy‐9α‐fluoro‐6α‐methylprednisolone, and 6α‐methylprednisolone, 21‐acetate were labeled with tritium by the Wilzbach tritium‐gas exposure method. The latter compound was also tritiated by exposure to tritium gas in the presence of a platinum‐black catalyst. Although extensive purifications were required, in each case radiochemically pure material of sufficiently high specific activity for its intended use was obtained. Incorporation of stably bound tritium was nine times greater by catalytic tritiation than by the conventional Wilzbach method.