Selective synthesis of 14 dehydroestranes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0039-128X(73)90075-5

The report of the preparation and high androgenic activity of Δ¹⁴ 19 nortestosterone and its 7α methyl derivative prompted the authors to disclose an alternate synthesis of these compounds. The introduction of the double bond into the 14 position of estranes has been accomplished by acid or base equilibration of an initially formed Δ¹⁵ isomer.