PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF STEROID DERIVATIVES

摘要

A process is described for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) or a stereoisomeric compound thereof, in which the 1,2-position is saturated or is a double bond; X<1> and X<2> are each independently hydrogen or halogen; R<1> is hydrogen or acyl; R<2> is hydroxyl, acyloxy or oxo; and R<3> is alkyl, by reacting a compound of formula (II) with an aldehyde R<3>CHO in either phosphoric acid or about 60 % to about 75 % w/w sulphuric acid. Compounds of formula (I) are either pharmacologically active steroids or are intermediates in the synthesis of pharmacologically active steroids.