26,27-Dihomo-1 alpha-hydroxy- and 26,27-dihomo-24-epi-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 analogs that differ markedly in biological activity in vivo.

26,27-Dihomo-1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2, 26,27-dihomo-24-epi-1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2, and 26,27-dihomo-24-epi-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 have been synthesized. In contrast to 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 24-epi-1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2, 26,27-dihomo-1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 (1) and the 24-epi analog (2) have no activity in intestinal calcium transport, bone calcium mobilization, or skeleton mineralization. On the other hand, 26,27-dihomo-24-epi-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 is equal to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in biological activity. Vitamin D 25-hydroxylase readily converts 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2. In contrast, the same preparations fail to hydroxylate 26,27-dihomo-1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 26,27-dihomo-24-epi-1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 on carbon 25. Thus, homologation of carbons 26 and 27 of the vitamin D compound likely sterically hinders vitamin D 25-hydroxylase.