Hydrochloric Acid → Levonorgestrel

Participants

Reaction Steps

Stir 13β-ethyl-17α-ethynyl-17β-hydroxy-gon-5(10)-en-3-one (0.1 g.) with a mixture of methanol (36 cc.), water (1.6 cc.) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (2.4 cc.) for 1 hour. Add water and extract the mixture with ether. Wash, dry and evaporate the ethereal solution and recrystallize the residue from ether-hexane to obtain the title compound, m.p. 203°-6° undepressed on admixture with authentic material. Infrared spectrum 3.05, 3.5, 6.05, 9.4 μ.

Provenance & Evidence