Abstract:
17 B-LACTONES OF 14 B-HYDROXY STEROIDS ARE PREPARED BY REACTING CARDA-14,20 (22)-DIENOLIDES OR BUFA-14,20,22-TRIENOLIDES OR THE CORRESPONDING >4-DERIVATIVES WITH N-BROMO ACYL AMIDES, THE RESULTING 15 A-BROMO-14 B-HYDROXY DERIVATIVES ARE TREATED WITH RANEY NICKEL IN AN ORGANIC SOLVENT AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AND THE 3-OXO GROUPS ARE REDUCED WITH A METAL HYDRIDE COMPLEX.