Formation of 17beta-alkoxy-16-keto steroids by reaction of 16alpha-hydroxy-17-keto and 17beta-hydroxy-16-keto steroids with trimethylsilyl iodide in the presence of alkyl alcohols.

ABSTRACT

16Alpha-hydroxy-17-keto steroids, 1, 3, and 8, and their 17beta-hydroxy-16-keto isomers, 4, 5, and 9, were transformed into the corresponding 17beta-alkoxy-16-keto derivatives on treatment with trimethylsilyl iodide (TMSI) in the presence of alkyl alcohol in CHCl3 in poor to high yields.