Process for the preparation of delta(15-16)-17-ketosteroids and use thereof in the synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds

摘要

A process is described for the preparation of DELTA <15-16>-17-ketosteroids of the formula in which the substituents have the meaning stated in the description, which process comprises a) the reaction of a 17-ketosteroid of the formula with diphenyl disulfide in the presence of a strong base, b) the subsequent oxidation reaction of the intermediate 16-phenyl sulfide to the sulfoxide and c) the sulfoxide elimination reaction to yield the DELTA <15-16>-17-ketosteroid compound of the formula (6). Said process is preferably applied to the synthesis of gestodene.