Cholesterol is stable

Abstract The purity of a sample of cholesterol purified through the dibromide in 1937 has been examined. Its melting point has not decreased upon storage. Examination of the sterol, its acetate and its trimethylsilyl ether in three gas-chromatographic systems reveals it to be homogeneous. Two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography does not disclose any significant impurities. It is concluded that pure cholesterol is stable upon storage in the dark at room temperature for an extended time.