Steroid Series. XXII. Photolysis of 3α, 5-Cyclo-6β-methoxy-17β-acetoxy-5α-androstan-19-one

Abstract

Irradiation of the title compound (I) at room temperature using a high pressure mercury lamp (450W) was found to yield 6β-methoxy-17β-acetoxyestra-5 (10)-ene (II : R=Ac) in 35% yield as an oily product. Along with a synthesis of this photoproduct (II : R=Ac) is also described that of its epimeric 6α-methoxy compound (IX : R₁=CH₃, R₂=Ac).