A mixture of 7-oximino-5-androstene-3β,17β-diol diacetate (1 g, 2.48 mmol) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (2 g) was stirred and refluxed in ethyl methyl ketone (100 Ml) at 110° C. for 3 h. 1-Bromo-3-chloropropane (0.25 Ml, 2.48 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture and further refluxed for 20 h with continuous stirring. The completion of the reaction was monitored by TLC. The slurry was cooled, filtered and excess of solvent was removed under reduced pressure to obtain an oily residue. Iced water was added to the oily residue and it was allowed to stand overnight. The precipitate obtained was filtered, washed with water, dried and crystallized from pet-ether (60-80° C.) to afford 7-[O-(3-chloropropyl)oximino]-5-androstene-3β,17β-diol diacetate (23) (0.7 g, 58.82%), mp 155° C. (Decomp).
