A new class of long acting hormonal steroid preparation: synthesis of dimeric ethynodiol and nortestosterone, of dimeric and trimeric androgens and of some dimeric combinations of steroids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0039-128X(74)90015-4

Dimeric steroid esters containing an estradiol molecule coupled with a molecule of ethynodiol, cortexolone, or ethinylandrostenediol respectively, were synthesized. The same method was also used for dimerization of ethynodiol, nortestosterone, and testosterone, and for the preparation of a trimeric androgen consisting of two molecules testosterone linked by one molecule 5 androsterone 3β,17β diol. The method is based upon the direct esterification of steroid alcohols with steroid hemisuccinates in the presence of N,N' carbonyldiimidazole. The results of preliminary experiments concerning the biological activity of some of these compounds showed a considerable prolongation of hormonal effect as compared to the respective monomer.