| abstract |
The present invention pertains to a process for producing eltanolone (I), wherein epi-sarsasapogenine (II) is broken down in the presence of ammomium chloride and pyridine and acetane hydride to obtain 3.alpha., 26-diacetoxy-5.beta., 25S-furost-20(22)-ene (III), which is reduced by chrom(Vi)-oxide to give 3.alpha.-acetoxy-16-.beta.-(5-acetoxy 4-methyl-pentanoyloxy)-5.beta.-pregnan-20-one (IV), which is hydrolyzed with sodium acetate, then dehydrated to give 3.alpha.-hydroxy-5.beta.-pregn-16-ene-20-one (V), the double bond of which is catalycally hydrogenated. |