An efficient laboratory-scale preparative method for [1-13C]glycocholic acid

A breath test using [1-13C]glycocholic acid as a substrate is a potential diagnostic method for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome. [1-13C]Glycocholic acid has been thus synthesized in an excellent yield from ethyl [1-13C]glycinate hydrochloride in a one-pot reaction. This method is suitable for the preparation of the labeled compound on a laboratory scale, which helps to perform extensive clinical studies of the breath test.