Total synthesis of steroids with substitution in the 2,3, 6, 11 or 17 positions comprising the step of cyclization of a compound having the formula ##STR1## or analogues thereof, where X represents .dbd.O, ##STR2## or .beta.-substituted ##STR3## Y represents .dbd.O, .beta.-oriented ##STR4## or .beta.-orientated OH, R' and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and R' represents alkyl or aryl and R.sup.2 represents alkyl and Z represents ether or hindered ester to form the novel compounds ##STR5##