AbstractA literature survey indicated that stereospecific non‐reductive β‐face methylation at C(10) of steroidal synthesis intermediate BCD‐tricyclic 9‐en‐5‐ones had never been effected. An attempt to define the factors controlling the β/α product ratio in such alkylations was made. The course of methylation is significantly affected by the temperature. In the best case, methylation of the sodium enolate of 17 β‐t‐butoxy‐19‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐4‐isoxazolyl)‐deA‐androst‐9‐en‐5‐one (18) in tetrahydrofuran at − 78° gave a β/α product ratio of > 5:1. The reaction mixture contained no unalkylated or dialkylated materials, indicating that enolate exchange probably did not occur at this temperature. The 10β‐methylated product 23, isolated in 78% yield, was converted to Δ9(ll)‐dehydrotestosterone (29). Compounds 23 and 29 are potential intermediates for the synthesis of 11‐oxygenated steroids.
AbstractA literature survey indicated that stereospecific non‐reductive β‐face methylation at C(10) of steroidal synthesis intermediate BCD‐tricyclic 9‐en‐5‐ones had never been effected. An attempt to define the factors controlling the β/α product ratio in such alkylations was made. The course of methylation is significantly affected by the temperature. In the best case, methylation of the sodium enolate of 17 β‐t‐butoxy‐19‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐4‐isoxazolyl)‐deA‐androst‐9‐en‐5‐one (18) in tetrahydrofuran at − 78° gave a β/α product ratio of > 5:1. The reaction mixture contained no unalkylated or dialkylated materials, indicating that enolate exchange probably did not occur at this temperature. The 10β‐methylated product 23, isolated in 78% yield, was converted to Δ9(ll)‐dehydrotestosterone (29). Compounds 23 and 29 are potential intermediates for the synthesis of 11‐oxygenated steroids.