The toxicity of steroids 1-14 for Colorado beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say.) larvae was studied by a contact-intestinal method. The most active are 3beta,5alpha-dihydroxy-6-ketone 4a and 5alpha-hydroxy-3,6-diketone 8a.
beta-Sitosterol 1 and the intermediate 5-hydroxy-6-ketosteroids 2 and 3 were used to synthesize 5beta-hydroxy-6-ketosteroid oximes 4 and 5 Dehydration of 5 from Cinachyrella sponges forms (24R,6E)-24-ethylcholest-6-hydroximono-4-en-3-one 6, a steroidal oxime.