Reactions of ketones with oxidising agents. Part III. Ring contraction in the boron fluoride-catalysed acetoxylation of 5α-cholestan-3-one
Abstract
Acetoxylation of 5α-cholestan-3-one by lead tetra-acetate–boron trifluoride in benzene–methanol gave a methyl ester (7%) by ring contraction together with 2α-acetoxycholestanone (47%). The ester was also obtained (11%) when 3,3-dimethoxycholestane was used as starting compound.