Abstract
A novel synthesis of 2β, 3β-dihydroxy steroids from 3-oxo compounds in 5α-series was developed. Autoxidation of 3-oxo compound afforded an enol mixture of 2, 3-dioxo compound, which on reduction with sodium borohydride yielded 2β, 3β-dihydroxy steroid. It was found that 2β, 3β-dihydroxy steroid was obtained with high stereospecificity by the reduction of 2-hydroxy-1-en-3-oxo steroid.
