| abstract |
Bicycloalkanes useful as intermediates in the total synthesis of steroids of the formula <IMAGE> WHEREIN N IS THE INTEGER 1 OR 2; R1 is lower-alkyl; X is free or ketalized carbonyl or free, esterified or etherified hydroxymethylene; and Y is -SO2-R2 or -C(Z)(R3)-R4 wherein R2 is alkyl, aryl or aralkyl R3 is H or lower-alkyl, R4 is alkoxycarbonyl or acyl and Z is lower-alkoxycarbonyl, lower acyl, lower alkylsulfinyl or lower-alkylsulfonyl, are produced by the steps of hydrogenating a compound of the formula <IMAGE> AND CONDENSING THE THUS-PRODUCED RING SATURATED COMPOUND WITH A SALT OF THE FORMULA C(Z)(R3)R4<->Me<+> wherein n, X, R1, R2, R3, R4 and Z have the values given above. |