申请人:Eastman Kodak Company
公开号:US04329294A1
公开(公告)日:1982-05-11
In accordance with the present invention, 17.alpha.-hydroxy-20-ketosteroids are prepared by the oxidation of 20-ketosteriods, such as 3-methoxy-pregna-3,5-dien-20-one. The 3-methoxypregna-3,5-dien-20-one is prepared from progesterone by methods well known in the art. The pregn-20-ones, such as 3-methoxypregna-3,5-dien-20-one, are oxidized with oxygen or air using a base catalyst in the presence of a phosphite reducing agent in a suitable solvent. The base catalyst consists of an alkali metal tert-alkoxide, which can be prepared from an alkali metal and a tert-alkanol. The oxidation reaction can be carried out at any temperature from about -20.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C. and for a period of 2-20 hours depending on the temperature at which the reaction is carried out. For example, at ambient temperature the rate of oxidation is sufficiently fast to complete the oxidation in 2 to 4 hours. This method for preparing 17.alpha.-hydroxy-20-ketosteroids from 20-ketosteroids is an important and valuable step in preparing corticosteroids and other hormones.
根据本发明,通过氧化20-酮类固醇制备17α-羟基-20-酮类固醇,例如3-甲氧基孕-3,5-二烯-20-酮。3-甲氧基孕-3,5-二烯-20-酮可以通过已知的方法从孕酮制备而来。孕-20-酮类化合物,例如3-甲氧基孕-3,5-二烯-20-酮,在适当的溶剂中,在碱性催化剂和磷酸酯还原剂的存在下,使用氧气或空气进行氧化。碱性催化剂由碱金属叔-烷氧化物组成,可以从碱金属和叔-烷醇制备而来。氧化反应可以在任何温度下进行,从-20°C到50°C不等,并且反应时间取决于反应温度,可以持续2-20小时。例如,在常温下,氧化速率足够快,可以在2至4小时内完成氧化反应。从20-酮类固醇制备17α-羟基-20-酮类固醇的这种方法是制备皮质类固醇和其他激素的重要和有价值的步骤。