| abstract |
Disclosed is a method for the production of an adrenocorticoid steroid represented by general formula (I), wherein R1 and R3 may be H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, silyl, acyl, acyloxy or carbamoyl (and wherein R1 need not be the same as R3), and wherein R2 may be methyl, mono- or disubstituted methyl, substituted alkyl, methyl or substituted alkylhydroxy, silyloxy, alkyloxy, acyl, acyloxy or carbamoyl; the method comprising treatment of a precursor thereof so as to effect the following steps: hydroxylation at the 11β position; formation of a double bond between positions 1 and 2; and hydroxylation at position 21. |