9,10-Secoestrane derivatives and their production

摘要

9,10-Secoestranes, useful as intermediates in the total synthesis of steroids, of the formula <IMAGE> WHEREIN N IS 1 OR 2, R1 is lower alkyl, R2, R3 and R4 are hydrogen, alkoxy or acyloxy, X is free or ketalized carbonyl or free, esterified or etherified hydroxymethylene, and Y is carbonyl or dialkoxymethylene are produced by condensing, in the presence of a basic catalyst, <IMAGE> WHEREIN X, n, R1, R2, R3, R4 have the values given above, and Z is Cl, Br or I, to produce a 9,10-secoestrane of the above formula wherein Y is a free carbonyl group, which can then, if desired, be ketalized to a corresponding compound wherein Y is dialkoxymethylene or like ketal group.