An improved process for the preparation of hydroxystigmasta-22-en/ hydroxystigmastan 6-ones

This invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of hydroxystigmasta-22-en/hydroxystigmastan 6-ones. The process steps are: taking a solution of stigmasta -2, 22-dien-6-one in a biphase solvent system such as herein described, adding to the said solution a solution of RuCl3. 3H2O and NaIO4 in water for in situ generation of RuO4, stirring the reaction mixture at room pressure, at a temperature ranging between -5 to 30°C for at least 3 minutes, quenching the reaction mixture by adding quenching agent such as herein described, continuing the for a further period of at least 5 minutes, isolating by solvent extraction stirring and purifying the compound of formula 2 by conventional methods such as herein described .