Toluene → Androsta-4,16-dien-3-one

Participants

Reaction Steps

250 ml. of a solution of 68 g. of 3β-hydroxy-androsta5,16-diene in 1.25 l. of toluene and 0.5 l. of cyclohexanone was distilled to obtain an anhydrous solution. A solution of 34 g. of aluminum isopropoxide in 170 ml. of dry toluene was added. The mixture was slowly distilled during 30 minutes to remove the acetone formed. After completion of the reaction water was added, and the mixture steam distilled to remove volatile components. the residue was extracted with methyl isobutyl ketone and the extract washed with an aqueous hydrogen chloride solution and water. The solvent was removed by distillation in vacuo and the residue was crystallized from acetone; 38.1 g. of androsta-4,16-dien-3-one were obtained. Recyrstallization from acetone yielded a pure product melting at a 131°-133° C. mol. peak in mass spectrum (m/e): 270. EXAMPLE IV

Provenance & Evidence