| abstract |
The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of oxandrolone from mestanolone. The process comprises the steps of: (a) oxidizing mestanolone to form 17β -hydroxy-17α -methyl-5 -androst-1-en-3-one; (b) hydroxylating the 17β - hydroxy-17α -methyl-5α -androst-1-en-3-one to form 1α , 2α , 17β -trihydroxy-17α - methylandrostan-3-one; (c) cleaving the 1α , 2α , 17β -trihydroxy-17α -methylandrostan-3- one to form 17β -hydroxy-17α -methyl-1-oxo-1,2,-seco-A-nor-5 -androstan-2-oic acid; and (d) reducing the 17β -hydroxy-17 -methyl-1-oxo-1,2,-seco-A-nor-5α -androstan-2-oic acid to form oxandrolone. |