2, 16β, 17β-Trihydroxy-4, 4-dimethylandrosta-1, 5-dien-3-one (VI) was prepared from 2, 16β, 17β-trihydroxyandrost-5-ene 16, 17-acetonide in 4 steps. 2, 16α, 17β-Trihydroxy-4, 4-dimethylandrosta-1, 5-dien-3-one (XVIII) was prepared form 2, 17β-dihydroxy-4, 4-dimethylandrosta-1, 5-dien-3-one (VII) in 8 steps. It was found that the 2, 3-ketol was converted to the 2, 3-diketone by autoxidation without influence on 16, 17-glycol.
