Seco-steroids. Part I. 15,16-Secoprogesterone
Abstract
The synthesis of the title compound via its C-17 epimer is described. Key steps are the cleavage of a 16,17-dihydroxy-D-homoandrostane derivative followed by decarbonylation of the aldehyde formed. Several of the D-homoandrostane intermediates show anomalous n.m.r. spectra.