.DELTA..sup.16 -21-HYDROXY-20-KETO STEROIDS OF THE PREGNANE SERIES HAVING AN OTHERWISE UNSUBSTITUTED D-ring and a 13-methyl or -ethyl group, and 21-ethers and -esters thereof, are produced by reaction of a corresponding D-ring saturated 17-keto steroid with a lithium compound of the formula ##STR1## thereby converting the 17-keto group to a 17.beta.-hydroxy-20.alpha.-enol ether in which the 17.alpha.-side chain has the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 have the values given above, and, in any desired sequence, splitting off R.sub.3 and/or R.sub.4 enol ether by hydrolysis; eliminating 17.beta.-hydroxy group, preferably after acylation, with formation of a .DELTA..sup.16 -double bond; and, if desired, splitting off any blocking group.
产生具有否则未取代的D环和13-甲基或-乙基基团的孕烷系列的.DELTA..sup.16 -21-羟基-20-
酮类固醇,以及它们的21-醚和酯,通过将相应的D环饱和的17-
酮类固醇与具有以下公式的
锂化合物反应而使17-酮基转化为17β-羟基-20α-烯醚,在其中17α-侧链具有以下公式,其中R.sub.3和R.sub.4具有上述给定的值,并且按任何所需的顺序,通过
水解裂解R.sub.3和/或R.sub.4烯醚;在酰化后首选消除17β-羟基,形成.DELTA..sup.16 -双键;如有需要,裂解任何阻断基。