| abstract |
The present invention provides 4-nitro-Δ4-3-ketosteroids, their use as steroid C¿17-20? lyase and 5α-reductase inhibitors and to a novel process for preparing a compound of formula (I), comprising sequentially: a) reacting a starting compound of formula (II) with an effective amount of a strong base at an elevated or suitable temperature for a time sufficient to create the corresponding thermodynamic dienolate, followed by addition of a neutral nitrating agent to produce the 4-nitro-steroid; and then, b) reacting the 4-nitrosteroid with a suitable reducing agent. |