Applications of chromium(II) chloride. Part III. Chromium(II) chloride reduction of some enediones

Abstract

Chromium(II) chloride has been shown to reduce some enediones to the corresponding dihydro-compounds under conditions which do not reduce the simple αβ-unsaturated ketones. Reduction of cholest-4-ene-3,6-dione afforded 5β-cholestane-3,6-dione whilst reduction of cholest-1,4-diene-3,6-dione afforded 5β-cholest-1-ene-3,6-dione and reduction of cholest-3,5-diene-2,7-dione gave cholest-4-ene-2,7-dione.