Process for the stereoselective reduction of steroid enelactams

摘要

The novel process of this invention involves the reduction of certain DELTA -5 steroidal alkenes to selectively produce either the 5 alpha or 5 beta reduction products. Particularly, this invention involves reduction of DELTA -5 steroidal alkenes using a rhodium based catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to selectively yield 5 alpha steroids or alternatively reduction of DELTA -5 steroidal alkenes in an ionizing medium with a trialkylsilane to selectively yield 5 beta steroids.