Various 3,17-oxygenated isomericestrane derivatives have been synthesized as possible metabolites of 19-norsteroids. Methods employed to establish configurations are described and biological data on some of the more pertinent compounds is presented.
Three of the four possible ring A/B isomeric estrane-17-ol-3-ones and their corresponding acetates, benzoates and diones were prepared for the purpose of biochemical studies. The positions of the hydrogens on C5 and C10 of these compounds have been assigned.