17-Ethynyl-delta 16-steroids prodn - by dehydrating 17-alpha-ethynyl-steroid-17 beta-ols

摘要

Steroids of partial formula (I) (where R1 is methyl or ethyl and St is one of the partial structures (a), (b) and (c) in which R2 is 1-6C alkyl), which are useful as inters. for pharmaceuticals, are produced in improved yields by subjecting corresp. 17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-ethynyl-steroids to dehydration with POCl3 in the presence of an aromatic base and (novel feature) of an aromatic hydrocarbon (e.g. benzene, toluene or xylene).