| abstract |
New steroid compounds of the general formula: <IMAGE> (A) wherein X is a hydroxyl group and Y is a hydrogen atom, or X and Y, taken together, form an oxo group; each of the two R' radicals is independently a hydrogen atom, acyl group, a silyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group or a benzyl group, or the two R' radicals, taken together, form an alkylidene or a carbonyl group, the stereo-configuration at the 22- and 23-positions being either 22R and 23R or 22S and 23S; and R'' and R''' are independently of each other a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, as well as processes for preparing same. These new steroid compounds are valuable intermediates for brassinolide and its analogues useful as plant hormones. |