Photochemical 6β-hydroxylation of 11β-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione

Abstract

The utilisability of the photochemical oxygenation of Δ3,5-enol ethers of the type III is limited in 11β-hydroxy derivatives which under the conditions of enol-etherification undergo dehydration to a considerable extent. A method for the protection of the 11β-hydroxy group in the form of a 11-keto group has been elaborated; after the enol-etherification the keto group can be reduced back to the 11β-hydroxy group.