Some reactions of 16 alpha,17 alpha-oxido-5 alpha-cholestane derivatives, synthesis of 17 alpha-hydroxycholest-4-en-3-one.

Careful epoxidation of the delta 16-olefins 3 and 4 yielded 16 alpha,17 alpha-epoxides 5 and 6 which were reduced by lithium aluminium hydride, oxidized, and dehydrated to 17 alpha-hydroxycholest-4-en-3-one 20, i.e., an epitestosterone homolog containing a well tolerated alkyl group at position 17. Under catalysis of acids, epoxide 5 was rearranged to delta 13-16 alpha-alcohol 10. Less careful epoxidation of delta 16-olefin 4 with excess of peroxy acid led to products of double epoxidation (i.e., epoxidation, rearrangement, and another oxidation) 7 and 12. Structures of products of rearrangement were studied mainly by NMR spectroscopy.