3 beta-Hydroxy-16,17-seco-13 alpha-androsta-5,16-dien-17-a1 was obtained from 3 beta-acetoxyandrost-5-en-17-one in six steps with a Grob fragmentation as the key step. This seco-steroid, containing a formyl group and an unsaturated side-chain in a sterically favourable cis position, is a useful synthon for the synthesis of novel heterocycles condensed to the 3 beta-hydroxy-13 alpha-androst-5-en-17-one skeleton.
3 beta-Hydroxy-16,17-seco-13 alpha-androsta-5,16-dien-17-a1 was obtained from 3 beta-acetoxyandrost-5-en-17-one in six steps with a Grob fragmentation as the key step. This seco-steroid, containing a formyl group and an unsaturated side-chain in a sterically favourable cis position, is a useful synthon for the synthesis of novel heterocycles condensed to the 3 beta-hydroxy-13 alpha-androst-5-en-17-one skeleton.