Regio- and stereoselective introduction of 15β-hydroxy group and side chains to steroids by the palladium-catalyzed reaction of 1,3-diene monoepoxide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)91412-7

The Pd-catalyzed reaction of 1,3-diene monoepoxides with carbonucleophiles is applied to the regio- and stereoselective introduction of 15β-hydroxy group and side chains to steroid nuclei. 3β-Hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (15) was converted to 15,16β-epoxy-Δ¹⁷⁽²⁰⁾ isoheptylidene steroid 20 and ethylidene steroid 21. The former was subjected to the Pd-catalyzed reaction with dimethyl malonate and then converted to 15β-hydroxycholesterol (29). Similarly, 15β-hydroxyisocholesterol (32) was obtained from the ethylidene steroid 21 using the Pd-catalyzed reaction of methyl 3-oxo-5-methylhexanoate (24) as a key reaction.