Abstract
Synthesis of 16α- and 16β-methyl-17α, 21-dihydroxypregna-1, 4, 9(11)-triene-3, 20-dione 21-acetate, important intermediates for dexamethasone and betamethasone, from metagenin via 2β, 3β, 11α-trihydroxy-5β-pregn-16-en-20-one triacetate is described.