The effect of oxygen on mutation induction by X-rays.

A solution of the compound in 5% methanolic potassium hydroxide remained colorless. Acknowledgment.-The authors are indebted to Mr. J. F. Alicino and his assistants for the microanalyses, and to Dr. Nettie Coy for the ultra-violet absorption data. Summary.-Diacetyl-7-ketojervine has been prepared by chromic acid oxidation of diacetyljervine. The ultra-violet absorption characteristics of this compound and of its monosemicarbazone indicate that the double bond adjacent to the unreactive keto group in jervine cannot occupy the 8,9-position as postulated by Jacobs and his collaborators. Hence the site of this keto group cannot be carbon atom 11, unless it be assumed that there exists some structural abnormality in rings C or D of the steroid nucleus.