Hydroxy-steroids. Part V. Oxidation of 2-hydroxymethylene-4,4-dimethyl-3-ketones with alkaline peroxide
Abstract
The oxidations of the 2-hydroxymethylene derivatives [(II) and (VII)] of 4,4-dimethylcholest-5-en-3-one and lupan-3-one with alkaline hydrogen peroxide to 2,3-seco-diacids are complicated by rearrangements leading to A-nor-2-carboxylic acids. Ring contraction is favoured by the presence of the 5,6-double bond in the former series.