Project overview
This proposal is part of a larger project which has as aim the development of a novel strategy for a general synthesis of steroids. The key element is the synthesis of an advanced synthetic intermediate ( the cyclisation precursor ) as a suitable platform for the subsequent construction of the steroid skeleton. The possibility to synthesise this precursor with introduction of structural and stereochemical diversity in a fully controlled manner, consequently resulting in the ability to select the most suitable cyclisation method, would make this strategy very attractive for the synthesis of natural and unnatural steroids (or indeed other polycyclic compounds).In this proposal we propose to investigate the synthesis of two industrially important steroids, desogestrel and ethonogestrel, using this strategy. A most exciting element of our plan are two proposed tandem cyclisation approaches for a quick and stereoselective buildup of the steroid skeleton. Both target steroids contain a C13 ethyl and a C11 methylene group, while the C19 methyl is absent. These modifications are difficult to introduce and our strategy would demonstrate that such modifications are nonetheless easily incorporated by judicious choice of the cyclisation methodology.
Research outputs
Vincent Foucher, Benedetta Guizzardi, Marinus B. Groen, Mark Light & Bruno Linclau,
2010, Organic Letters, 12(4), 680-683
DOI: 10.1021/ol902638w
Type: article