| abstract |
DELTA 5-19-Hydroxy-steroids (I) are propd. by reductively splitting 19-unsubstd. 5 alpha-halogen-6 beta-19-oxidosteroids with Zn, pref. used with aliphatic carboxylic acid such as glacial acetic acid. (Ie are intermediates in prodn. of pharmacological important 19-norsteroids such as 19-nor-testosterone and -progesterone derivs., partic. 19-nor-1( alpha methyl-and 19-nor-17 alpha-ethylnyltestosterone. In a pref. process, DELTA 5-3-acyloxy-19-hydroxy-steroids are converted to DELTA 4-3-oxo-19-steroids by (1) saponifying 3-acyl group, (2) oxidising DELTA 5-3,19-dihydroxy- to DELTA 4-3,19-dioxosteroids and (3) splitting off 19-aldehyde groups. |