SYNTHETIC STUDIES IN THE CARDENOLIDE SERIES-II STEREOSPECIFIC INTRODUCTION OF C-17 SIDE CHAIN

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)90898-1

Direct preparation of 14β-hydroxy steroids from 14α-H compounds is described; a 15β-hydroxy-14α-H compound is also obtained.Grignard reagents react with 14β-hydroxy-androstan-17-one in the "normal way", giving a 17β-side chain, but surprisingly organolithium reagents give the unexpected 17α-side chain.