Ammonia → Oxendolone

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of 2.0 g. of 16β-ethyl-3-methoxy-1,3,5(10)-estratrien-17β-ol in 40 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 4 ml. of tert.-butanol is added dropwise at -40° C. to 80 ml. of ammonia. After the incremental introduction of 1.2 g. of lithium, the mixture is stirred for 2 hours at -40° C.; then the ammonia is allowed to evaporate, the residue is poured into about 200 ml. of water, and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate. The crude product is taken up in 40 ml. of methanol and 4 ml. of 4 N hydrochloric acid and agitated for 15 minutes at 50° C. Thereafter, the mixture is poured into water and extracted with methylene chloride. After recrystallizing the crude product from ethyl acetate/ether, 1.7 g. of 16β-ethyl-17β-hydroxy-4-estren-3-one is produced, m.p. 150°-152° C.

Provenance & Evidence