Process improvements in steroid chemistry

Abstract

Steroids containing a cyclohexene moiety are efficiently oxidized to the corresponding α,β-unsaturated ketone using copper iodide and t-butyl hydroperoxide. A steroid compound containing the α,β-unsaturated ketone structure is efficiently converted to the corresponding vicinal diol using a hydroborating reagent followed by oxidative workup, e.g., borane followed by sodium perborate. Benzoyl and substituted benzoyls are superior protecting groups for hydroxyl groups present in the compounds.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention is directed to synthetic manipulations of organic chemicals, and particularly to the chemical reactions of steroids, and to steroids that may be used as starting materials in various chemical reactions, and to steroids that result from the chemical reactions.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Steroid structures are commonly used as therapeutic agents. See, e.g., PCT International Publication No. WO 98/02450 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,185, among many other documents that discuss the therapeutic efficacy of steroids. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for efficient synthetic reactions that can prepare steroids of a desired structure. The present invention is directed to fulfilling this and related needs as described in detail herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides general synthetic methodology that may be employed to prepare steroid compounds having certain specified chemical functionality.

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for allylic oxidation comprising

[0008] a) providing a compound comprising a steroid carbon skeleton and two geminal allylic hydrogens as present in formula (1) 1

[0009] b) contacting the compound with reagents comprising copper iodide and t-butyl hydroperoxide to provide a mixture; and

[0010] c) maintaining the mixture of step b) under oxidizing conditions to convert the compound to a product having a carbon skeleton and an α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety as present in formula (4) 2

[0011] In a separate aspect, the present invention provides another method for allylic oxidation comprising

[0012] a) providing a compound comprising a steroid carbon skeleton and two geminal allylic hydrogens as present in formula (1) 3

[0013] b) contacting the compound with reagents comprising an oxidizing agent and an amine to provide a mixture;

[0014] c) maintaining the mixture of step b) under oxidizing conditions to convert the compound to a product having a carbon skeleton and an α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety as present in formula (4) 4

[0015] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of converting a compound having a steroid carbon nucleus and an enone (i.e., an α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety), as may be prepared by the just-described allylic oxidation method, to a compound having a steroid carbon nucleus and two hydroxyl groups (i.e., a diol), one at the 6-position and the other at the 7-position of the steroid nucleus.

[0016] Thus, in one aspect the present invention provides a method of converting an enone to a diol, comprising

[0017] a) providing a compound comprising a steroid carbon skeleton and an α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety as present in a compound of formula (4) 5

[0018] b) contacting the compound of a) with a hydroborating agent e.g., borane, bis-3-methyl-2-butylborane (disamylborane) or 9-borabicylo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN), preferably in an ethereal solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, to form a hydroboration product, followed by an oxidative workup, e.g., contacting the hydroboration product with perborate salt (NaBO3), or NaOH/H2O2;

[0019] c) forming a product comprising a steroid carbon skeleton and two hydroxyl groups as present in a compound of formula (5) 6

[0020] In addition, the present invention provides steroid compounds.

[0021] In one aspect, the present invention provides a compound of the formula 7

[0022] wherein:

[0023] Z is selected from O, S, and N—R1;

[0024] each of C1, C2, C4, C11, C12, C15, C16 and C17 is independently substituted with

[0025] (a) one of: ═O, ═C(R1)(R1), —C(R1)(R1)(C(R1)(R1))n— and —(O(C(R1)(R1))nO)— wherein n ranges from 1 to about 6; or

[0026] (b) two of the following, which are independently selected: —X, —R1 and —OR2;

[0027] each of C8, C9 and C14 is independently substituted with one of —X, —R1 or —OR2;

[0028] C7 is substituted with two hydrogens, oxo, hydrogen and hydroxyl, or hydrogen and protected hydroxyl;

[0029] R1 at each occurrence is independently selected from H and C1-30 organic moiety that may optionally contain at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of boron, halogen, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon and sulfur, where two geminal R1 groups may together form a ring with the carbon atom to which they are both bonded; and

[0030] R2 is H or a protecting group such that —OR2 is a protected hydroxyl group, where vicinal —OR2 groups may together form a cyclic structure which protects vicinal hydroxyl groups, and where geminal —OR2 groups may together form a cyclic structure which protects a carbonyl group;

[0031] R3 is benzoyl or substituted benzoyl; and

[0032] X is fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide.

[0033] In another aspect, the present invention provides a compound of the formula 8

[0034] wherein:

[0035] Z is selected from O, S, and N—R1;

[0036] each of C1, C2, C4, C11, C12, C15, C16 and C17 is independently substituted with

[0037] (a) one of: ═O, ═C(R1)(R1), —C(R1)(R1)(C(R1)(R1))n— and —(O(C(R1)(R1))nO)— wherein n ranges from 1 to about 6; or

[0038] (b) two of the following, which are independently selected: —X, —R1 and-OR2;

[0039] each of C5, C8, C9 and C14 is independently substituted with one of —X, —R1 or —OR2;

[0040] R1 at each occurrence is independently selected from H and C1-30 organic moiety that may optionally contain at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of boron, halogen, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon and sulfur, where two geminal R1 groups may together form a ring with the carbon atom to which they are both bonded; and

[0041] R2 is H or a protecting group such that —OR2 is a protected hydroxyl group, where vicinal —OR2 groups may together form a cyclic structure which protects vicinal hydroxyl groups, and where geminal —OR2 groups may together form a cyclic structure which protects a carbonyl group;

[0042] R3 is benzoyl or substituted benzoyl; and

[0043] X is fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide.

[0044] The compounds of the present invention are useful as intermediates in the preparation of steroids having medicinal properties. Synthetic methodology as described herein may be utilized to prepare compounds of the present invention.

[0045] These and related aspects of the present invention are disclosed in further detail herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0046] The FIGURE shows a synthetic scheme wherein compounds of the invention are prepared by methods of the invention. In the FIGURE, R3 in compounds 4, 5, and 9 is para-nitrobenzoyl, while R3 in compounds 15, 16 and 20 is benzoyl. In the FIGURE, step i. shows the protection of a C17 carbonyl group, step ii. shows the protection of a C3 hydroxyl group; step iii. shows the conversion of an allyl moiety to an α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety, and step iv shows the conversion of an α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety to a vicinal diol.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] Definitions

[0048] As used herein the singular forms “a”, “and”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, “a compound” refers to one or more of such compounds, while “the enzyme” includes a particular enzyme as well as other family members and equivalents thereof as known to those skilled in the art. As used in the specification and appended claims, unless specified to the contrary, the following terms have the meaning indicated.

[0049] Benzoyl is —C═O)—Ph where “Ph” represents phenyl. Substituted benzoyl refers to a benzoyl group wherein one or more of the phenyl hydrogens is replaced with a substituent selected from hydroxyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, mercapto, alkylthio, —N═N—O—R5, —N(R4)2, —C(O)OR4, —C(O)N(R4)2 or —N(R4)C(O)R4 where each R4 is independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aralkyl or aryl, and R5 is hydrogen, alkyl or aralkyl. In one aspect of the invention, substituted benzoyl is para-nitrobenzoyl, optionally referred to herein as p-nitrobenzoyl or p-NO2Bz.

[0050] Protecting groups for hydroxyl, thiol, and amino groups, including methods to add such protecting groups to an unprotection functional group, and further including methods to remove the protecting group, where these protecting groups are designated herein as R2 and/or R3, are well known in the art. See, e.g., Greene, T. W. and Wuts, P. G. M., Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Wiley, New York, N.Y. (1991).

[0051] Allylic Oxidation

[0052] In one aspect, the present invention provides for the allylic oxidation of a unsaturated (i.e., olefin-containing) steroid compound having two hydrogen atoms at an allylic position as shown in formula (1), where only the carbon skeleton of the steroid is shown in formula (1), and with the exception of the allylic hydrogens and a site of unsaturation, any substitution on the carbon skeleton is omitted for clarity. 9

[0053] In one embodiment, the present invention provides for the allylic oxidation of a steroid of formula (1), where the method comprises:

[0054] a) providing a steroid compound having two allylic hydrogens and comprising the carbon nucleus as shown in formula (1) 10

[0055] b) contacting the compound with reagents comprising copper iodide and t-butyl hydroperoxide to provide a mixture; and

[0056] c) maintaining the mixture of step b) under oxidizing conditions to convert the steroid structure to a steroid having the carbon nucleus and an α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety as shown in formula (4) 11

[0057] A series of experiments were run to test both the effect of solvent and catalyst on yields of the allylic oxidation reaction. Selected examples of these reactions are summarized in Tables land 2, where compounds 4 and 15 are identified in the FIGURE. In these Tables, ACN represents acetonitrile, BuOOH represents t-butyl hydroperoxide, CuI represents copper iodide, DCM represents dichloromethane, g represents gram(s), SM represents starting material (see the FIGURE, and in particular compound 3), T represents temperature, and v/v represents volume/volume ratio.

[0058] In general, using CuI as a catalyst, the following conditions were found to be optimal:

[0059] 1. 0.02:1 mole ratio of CuI catalyst to starting material.

[0060] 2. approximately 10:1 mole ratio of tBuOOH to starting material.

[0061] 3. approximately 1:1:0.3 vol ratio of ACN/Cyclohexane/Pyridine for the benzoate starting material.

[0062] 4. approximately 1:1:0.5 ACN/DCM/Pyridine for the para-nitro benzoate starting material.

[0063] 5. temperature maintained at approximately 40° C.-50° C.

TABLE 1
Cul catalyzed allylic oxidation of compound 15
	Amt. of	Mol.
	Starting	Ratio:
Entry	Material	BuOOH/	Mol. Ratio:	Yield	Solvent	T
No.	(SM)	SM	Cul/SM	(%)	(v/v)	(° C.)	Comments
1.	5.0 g	12.6	0.02	43.8	DCM/ACN	50	Significant amount
					(1/1)		of by-product
							was formed
2.	1.0 g	10	0.02	60.7	DCM/ACN/pyridine	50
					(1/1/0.3)
3.	5.0 g	10	0.02	69.2	ACN/cyclohexane/pyridine	45
					(1/1/0.3)
4.	5.0 g	10	0.02	64.5	DCM/ACN/pyridine	45
					(1/1/0.3)
5.	5.0 g	10	0.02	67.7	DCM/pyridine	40
					(1/0.25)
6.	50.0 g	10	0.02	64.3	ACN/cyclohexane/pyridine	50
					(1/1/0.3)

[0064]

TABLE 2
Cul catalyzed allylic oxidation of compound 4
Entry	Amt. of Starting	Mole ratio:	Mole ratio
No.	Material (SM)	BuOOH/SM	Cul/SM	Yield	Conditions	Solvent - (v/v)
1.	5.0 g	10/1.0	0.02/1.0	57.86	50° C., overnight	Cyclohexane/ACN - (1/1)
2.	5.0 g	13/1.0	0.01/1.0	51.65	50° C., overnight	Cyclohexane/ACN - (1/1)
3.	5.0 g	13/1.0	0.02/1.0	54.34	Reaction done by 9 hr at 50° C.	Cyclohexane/ACN - (1/1)
4.	5.0 g	13/1.0	0.02/1.0	53.4	Reaction done by 3 hr at 75° C.	Cyclohexane/ACN - (1/1)
5.	5.0 g	13/1.0	0.02/1.0	64.0	Reaction done by 5 hr at 50° C.	Cyclohexane/ACN/pyridine -
						(1/1/0.5)
6.	5.0 g	10/1.0	0.02/1.0	57.17	Reaction done by 2 hr at 65° C.	Cyclohexane/ACN/pyridine -
						(1/1/0.5)
7.	5.0 g	7.0/1.0	0.02/1.0	24.3	50° C., overnight	Cyclohexane/ACN/pyridine -
						(1/1/0.5)
8.	5.0 g	10/1.0	0.02/1.0	62.14	50° C., 2 hr	DCM/pyridine - (1/0.5)
9.	5.0 g	10/1.0	0.02/1.0	61.0	50° C., 2 hr	DCM/ACN/pyridine -
						(1/1/0.75)
10.	5.0 g	7.0/1.0	0.02/1.0	58.25	50° C., 2 hr	DCM/pyridine - (1/0.75)
11.	5.0 g	7.0/1.0	0.01/1.0	48.0	50° C., 4 hr	DCM/pyridine - (1/0.75)
12.	5.0 g	10/1.0	0.02/1.0	66.9	50° C., 2 hr	DCM/ACN/pyridine -
						(1/1/0.5)
13.	1.0 g	10/1.0	0.02/1.0	62.0	50° C., 4 hr	DCM/ACN/pyridine -
						(1/1/0.25)

[0065] A specific steroid within the scope of formula (1) that may be used in the allylic oxidation reaction of the present invention has the formula (2): 12

[0066] wherein:

[0067] Z is selected from O, S, and N—R1;

[0068] each of C1, C2, C3, C4, C11, C12, C15, C16 and C17 is independently substituted with

[0069] a) one of: ═O, ═C(R1)(R1), —C(R1)(R1)(C(R1)(R1))n— and —(O(C(R1)(R1))nO)— wherein n ranges from 1 to about 6; or

[0070] b) two of the following, which are independently selected: —X, —R1 and —OR2;

[0071] each of C8, C9 and C14 is independently substituted with one of —X, —R1 or —OR2;

[0072] R1 at each occurrence is independently selected from H and C1-30 organic moiety that may optionally contain at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of boron, halogen, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon and sulfur, where two geminal R1 groups may together form a ring with the carbon atom to which they are both bonded;

[0073] R2 is H or a protecting group such that —OR2 is a protected hydroxyl group, where vicinal —OR2 groups may together form a cyclic structure which protects vicinal hydroxyl groups, and where geminal —OR2 groups may together form a cyclic structure which protects a carbonyl group, with the proviso that either or both of —OR2 at C6 and C7 represents a carbonyl or protected carbonyl group; and

[0074] X represents fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide.

[0075] In particular embodiments, C1, C2, C4, C11, C12, C15 and C16 are substituted with two hydrogens, and C8, C9 and C14 are substituted with one hydrogen; and/or C3 is substituted with hydrogen and —OR2, and/or C17 is substituted with two —OR2 groups or a ketal. In another particular embodiment of the invention, the steroid has the formula (3) wherein each carbon is hydrogen-substituted unless otherwise indicated, Z is selected from O, S and NR1, and wherein R3 is a protecting group for Z 13

[0076] In one embodiment of steroids of formula (3), R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl. In one embodiment R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl where —ZR3 is only or primarily in the beta-configuration (i.e., up, out of the plane of the steroid, as are the two methyl groups shown in formula (3)), i.e., the steroid may be compound 4 in the FIGURE where Z is O. In one embodiment R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl where —ZR3 is only or primarily in the alpha-configuration (i.e., down, below the plane of the steroid, opposite to the configuration of the two methyl groups shown in formula (3)). In one aspect of this embodiment, Z is O. In another aspect of this embodiment, Z is S. In another aspect of this embodiment, Z is NR1 where R1 is defined above, and where a preferred R1 is selected from an amino protecting group and H, ie., R1 in the group —NR1 is preferably R3 so that —ZR3 is N(R3)2 or H so that —ZR3 is —NHR3.

[0077] In another embodiment of steroids of formula (3), R3 is benzoyl. In one embodiment R3 is benzoyl where —ZR3 is only or primarily in the beta-configuration (i.e., up, out of the plane of the steroid, as are the two methyl groups shown in formula (3)), i.e., the steroid may be compound 15 in the FIGURE where Z is O. In one embodiment R3 is benzoyl where —OR3 is only or primarily in the alpha- configuration (i.e., down, below the plane of the steroid, opposite to the configuration of the two methyl groups shown in formula (3)). In one aspect of this embodiment, Z is O. In another aspect of this embodiment, Z is S. In another aspect of this embodiment, Z is NR1 where R1 is defined above, and where a preferred R1 is selected from an amino protecting group and H, i.e., R1 in the group —NR1 is preferably R3 so that —ZR3 is N(R3)2 or H so that —ZR3 is —NHR3.

[0078] Thus, in one aspect, the olefin-containing steroid compound is compound 4 where —ZR3 is —OR3, and —OR3 is only or primarily in the beta-configuration, while in another aspect the olefin-containing compound is compound 15 where —ZR3 is —OR3, and —OR3 is only or primarily in the beta-configuration.

[0079] In the oxidation reaction, and in particular with respect to the solvent, it is observed in Tables 1 and 2 that the oxidation reaction works in the majority of solvents tested. Reduction of the catalyst to 0.01 resulted in significantly reduced yields. Temperatures of higher than 45° C. (for the benzoate) and 50° C. (for the para-nitrobenzoate) resulted in reduced yields. A ten fold excess of tBuOOH was observed to maximize yields.

[0080] Many solvent systems may be used in the oxidation reaction, however specific systems are preferred depending on the protecting group at the C3 position. For example, the 1:1:0.3 cyclohexane/acetonitrile/pyridine mixture provided the most consistent yields for the starting material with the benzoyl protecting group, whereas the 1:1:0:5 ACN/DCM/Pyridine solvent system is preferred for the starting material with the para-nitrobenzoyl protecting group. Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, the oxidation reaction is conducted in the further presence of an amine, e.g., pyridine or a tertiary amine such as 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). Specifically, the addition of amine reduces the variability and increases yields compared to reactions run in the absence of amine.

[0081] Thus, in another embodiment, the present invention provides for the allylic oxidation of steroid of formula (1), where the method comprises:

[0082] a) providing a compound comprising a steroid carbon nucleus, unsaturation between carbons 5 and 6, and two allylic hydrogens as shown in formula (1) 14

[0083] b) contacting the compound with reagents that comprise an oxidizing agent and an amine to provide a mixture; and

[0084] c) maintaining the mixture of step b) under oxidizing conditions to convert the cyclohexene structure to an α,β-unsaturated ketone of the formula (4) 15

[0085] In one aspect, the oxidizing agent is copper iodide and t-butyl hydroperoxide. In another aspect, the oxidizing agent is ruthenium chloride (RuCl3) and t-butyl hydroperoxide. Optionally, the amine is selected from tertiary amines and pyridine.

[0086] A particular steroid of formula (1) that may be used in this oxidation reaction is a compound having the formula (2) as identified above. In particular embodiments, C1, C2, C4, C11, C12, C15 and C16 are substituted with two hydrogens, and C8, C9 and C14 are substituted with one hydrogen; and/or C3 is substituted with hydrogen and —OR2, and C17 is substituted with two —OR2 groups or a ketal. In another particular embodiment of the invention, the steroid has the formula (3) as identified above, wherein each carbon is hydrogen-substituted unless otherwise indicated, and wherein R3 is a protecting group. 16

[0087] In one embodiment of steroids of formula (3), R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl. In one embodiment R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl where —OR3 is only or primarily in the beta-configuration (i.e., up, out of the plane of the steroid, as are the two methyl groups shown in formula (3)), i.e., the steroid is compound 4 in the FIGURE. In one embodiment R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl where —OR3 is only or primarily in the alpha- configuration (i.e., down, below the plane of the steroid, opposite to the configuration of the two methyl groups shown in formula (3)). In one aspect of this embodiment, Z is O. In another aspect of this embodiment, Z is S. In another aspect of this embodiment, Z is NR1 where R1 is defined above, and where a preferred R1 is selected from an amino protecting group and H, i.e., R1 in the group —NR1 is preferably R3 so that —ZR3 is N(R3)2 or H so that —ZR3 is —NHR3.

[0088] In one embodiment, R3 is benzoyl. In one embodiment R3 is benzoyl where —OR3 is only or primarily in the beta-configuration (i.e., up, out of the plane of the steroid, as are the two methyl groups shown in formula (3)), i.e., the steroid is compound 15 in the FIGURE. In one embodiment R3 is benzoyl where —OR3 is only or primarily in the alpha-configuration, (i.e., down, below the plane of the steroid, opposite to the configuration of the two methyl groups shown in formula (3)). In one aspect of this embodiment, Z is O. In another aspect of this embodiment, Z is NR1 where R1 is defined above, and where a preferred R1 is selected from an amino protecting group and H, i.e., R1 in the group —NR is preferably R3 so that —ZR3 is N(R3)2 or H so that —ZR3 is —NHR3.

[0089] Thus, in one aspect, the olefin-containing steroid compound is compound 4 where —ZR3 is —OR3, and —OR3 is exclusively or primarily in the beta- configuration, while in another aspect the olefin-containing compound is compound 15 where —ZR3 is —OR3, and —OR3 is exclusively or primarily in the beta-configuration.

[0090] Conversion of Enone Group to Diol Group

[0091] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of converting an enone to a diol. The enone-containing compound, which may also be referred to as an α,β-unsaturated ketone-containing compound, is generally represented by formula (4) 17

[0092] where the carbon skeleton of the steroid is shown in formula (4) and, with the exception of the carbonyl group at carbon 7 and a site of unsaturation between carbons 5 and 6, any other substitution on the carbon skeleton is omitted for purposes of clarity. The product diol is generally represented by formula (5) 18

[0093] where again the carbon skeleton of the steroid is shown in formula (5) and, with the exception of the two hydroxyl groups at carbons 6 and 7, any substitution on the carbon skeleton is omitted for clarity.

[0094] Thus, the present invention provides a method of converting a steroid containing an enone group to the corresponding steroid containing a vicinal diol group at the 6 and 7 positions of the steroid, where the method includes:

[0095] a) providing a steroid compound having the carbon skeleton and enone structure 19

[0096] b) contacting the compound of a) with a hydroboration reagent to form a hydroboration product, followed by an oxidative work-up; and

[0097] c) forming a product comprising a steroid carbon skeleton and hydroxyl functionality of the formula (5) 20

[0098] In various embodiments of this aspect of the invention, step b) includes contacting the compound with borane; and/or contacting the compound with a hydroborating agent selected from bis-3-methyl-2-butylborane or 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane; and/or the oxidative workup of b) comprises adding NaBO3 to the hydroboration product; and/or the oxidative workup of b) comprises adding NaOH and H2O2 to the hydroboration product. As used herein, the term “borane” refers to any of BH3, B2H6 (sometimes also referred to as diborane), higher-order borane-borane complexes (e.g., (BH3)n where n is 1-6), as well as solvated forms thereof, e.g., ethereal complexes such as BH3.THF (also referred to as BH3/THF).

[0099] Preferably step b) is conducted without isolation of the hydroboration product, that is, after the compound has been combined with the hydroboration reagent, the product of this hydroboration reaction is subjected to oxidative workup conditions without any isolation of the hydroboration product: Hydroboration followed by an oxidative work-up is well known in the art, and is described in, e.g., Carey and Sundberg, Advanced Organic Chemistry, 3rd Edition, 1990, Plenum Press; and March, Advanced Organic Chemistry, 4th Edition, 1992, Wiley-Interscience, see particularly pp. 783-789.

[0100] In addition, in one aspect, the compound is added to a reaction vessel containing the hydroborating agent. In a different aspect, the hydroborating agent is added to a reaction vessel containing the compound.

[0101] A particular steroid that may be used in converting a steroid containing an enone group according to formula (4) to a diol according to formula (5) is a compound having the formula 21

[0102] wherein:

[0103] each of C1, C2, C3, C4, C1, C12, C15, C16 and C17 is independently substituted with

[0104] a) one of ═O, ═C(R1)(R1), —C(R1)(R1)(C(R1)(R1))n— and —(O(C(R1)(R1))nO)— wherein n ranges from 1 to about 6; or

[0105] b) two of the following, which are independently selected: —X, —R1 and —OR2;

[0106] each of C8, C9 and C14 is independently substituted with one of —X, —R1 or —OR2;

[0107] R1 at each occurrence is independently selected from H and C1-30 organic moiety that may optionally contain at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of boron, halogen, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon and sulfur, where two geminal R1 groups may together form a ring with the carbon atom to which they are both bonded;

[0108] R2 is H or a protecting group such that —OR2 is a protected hydroxyl group, where vicinal —OR2 groups may together form a cyclic structure which protects vicinal hydroxyl groups, and where geminal —OR2 groups may together form a cyclic structure which protects a carbonyl group, with the proviso that either or both of —OR2 at C6 and C7 represents a carbonyl or protected carbonyl group; and

[0109] X represents fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide.

[0110] According to this embodiment of the invention, the product diol has the corresponding formula 22

[0111] In more specific aspects of the invention C1, C2, C4, C11, C12, C15 and C16 are substituted with two hydrogens, and C8, C9 and C14 are substituted with one hydrogen, and/or C3 is substituted with hydrogen and —OR2, and/or C17 is substituted with two —OR2 groups or a ketal. In one particular embodiment, the steroid of formula (4) may be represented by formula (6) wherein each carbon is hydrogen-substituted unless otherwise indicated, Z is selected from O, S and NR1, and wherein R3 is a protecting group for Z 23

[0112] In one embodiment of steroids of formula (6), R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl. In one embodiment R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl where —ZR3 is exclusively or primarily in the beta-configuration (i.e., up, out of the plane of the steroid, as are the two methyl groups shown in formula (6), i.e., the steroid may be compound 5 in the FIGURE when Z is O. In one embodiment R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl where —ZR3 is exclusively or primarily in the alpha-configuration, (i.e., down, below the plane of the steroid, opposite to the configuration of the two methyl groups shown in formula (6)). In one aspect of this embodiment, Z is O. In another aspect of this embodiment, Z is NR1 where R1 is defined above, and where a preferred R1 is selected from an amino protecting group and H, i.e., R1 in the group —NR1 is preferably R3 so that —ZR3 is N(R3)2 or H so that —ZR3 is —NHR3.

[0113] In one embodiment, R3 is benzoyl. In one embodiment R3 is benzoyl where —ZR3 is exclusively or primarily in the beta-configuration (i.e., up, out of the plane of the steroid, as are the two methyl groups shown in formula (6), i.e., the steroid may be compound 16 in the FIGURE when Z is O. In one embodiment R3 is benzoyl where —ZR3 is only or primarily in the alpha-configuration, (i.e., down, below the plane of the steroid, opposite to the configuration of the two methyl groups shown in formula (6)). In one aspect of this embodiment, Z is O. In another aspect of this embodiment, Z is NR1 where R1 is defined above, and where a preferred R1 is selected from an amino protecting group and H, i.e., R1 in the group —NR1 is preferably R3 so that —ZR3 is N(R3)2 or H so that —ZR3 is —NHR3.

[0114] Thus, in one aspect, the enone-containing compound is compound 5 where —ZR3 is —OR3, and —OR3 is exclusively or primarily in the beta-configuration, while in another aspect the enone-containing compound is compound 16 where —ZR3 is —OR3, and —OR3 is exclusively or primarily in the beta-configuration.

[0115] Compounds of the Invention

[0116] The allylic oxidation reaction described above, and/or the conversion of an enone-containing compound to the corresponding vicinal diol, advantageously utilizes a steroid compound having specific substitution at the 3 position. Thus, in one aspect the present invention provides olefin-containing steroid compounds of the formula 24

[0117] wherein:

[0118] Z is O, S or NR1;

[0119] each of C1, C2, C4, C11 C12, C15, C16 and C17 is independently substituted with

[0120] (a) one of: ═O, ═C(R1)(R1), —C(R1)(R1)(C(R1)(R1))n— and —(O(C(R1)(R1))nO)— wherein n ranges from 1 to about 6; or

[0121] (b) two of the following, which are independently selected: —X, —R1 and —OR;

[0122] each of C8, C9 and C14 is independently substituted with one of —X, —R1 or —OR2;

[0123] C7 is substituted with two hydrogens, oxo, hydrogen and hydroxyl, or hydrogen and protected hydroxyl;

[0124] R1 at each occurrence is independently selected from H and C1-30 organic moiety that may optionally contain at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of boron, halogen, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon and sulfur, where two geminal R1 groups may together form a ring with the carbon atom to which they are both bonded; and

[0125] R2 is H or a protecting group such that —OR2 is a protected hydroxyl group, where vicinal —OR2 groups may together form a cyclic structure which protects vicinal hydroxyl groups, and where geminal —OR2 groups may together form a cyclic structure which protects a carbonyl group;

[0126] R3 is benzoyl or substituted benzoyl; and

[0127] X is fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide.

[0128] In various aspects, the steroid compound is as set forth above, however: R3 is nitro-substituted benzoyl; and/or each of C1, C2, C4, C11, C12, C15 and C16 is substituted with two hydrogens; and/or each of C8, C9 and C14 is substituted with one hydrogen; and/or C17 is substituted with a substituent selected from ═O, —(O(C(R1)(R1))nO)— wherein n ranges from 1 to about 6, hydrogen and —OR2, and two OR2 groups; and/or C7 is substituted with two hydrogens or oxo. In each of these possible aspects, in a further aspect Z is O, while in a separate aspect Z is S, while in a still further aspect Z is NR1 where R1 is defined above, and where a preferred R1 is selected from an amino protecting group and H, i.e., R1 in the group —NR1 is preferably R3 so that —ZR3 is N(R3)2 or H so that —ZR3 is —NHR3.

[0129] Thus, in one aspect, the steroid compound has a structure according to formula (3) wherein each shown carbon is fully substituted with hydrogen, with the exception of the 5-6 double bond 25

[0130] In one embodiment of steroids of formula (3), R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl, preferably para-nitrobenzoyl. In one embodiment R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl where —ZR3 is exclusively or primarily in the beta-configuration, (i.e., up, out of the plane of the steroid, as are the two methyl groups shown in formula (3)), i.e., the steroid may be compound 4 in the FIGURE when Z is O. In one embodiment R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl where —ZR3 is exclusively or primarily in the alpha-configuration, (i.e., down, below the plane of the steroid, opposite to the configuration of the two methyl groups shown in formula (3)). In one aspect of these embodiments, Z is O. In another aspect of these embodiments, Z is S. In another aspect of these embodiments, Z is NR1 where R1 is defined above, and where a preferred R1 is selected from an amino protecting group and H, i.e., R1 in the group —NR1 is preferably R3 so that —ZR3 is N(R3)2 or H so that —ZR3 is —NHR3.

[0131] In one embodiment, R3 is benzoyl. In one embodiment R3 is benzoyl and R3Z— is exclusively or primarily in the beta-configuration, (i.e., up, out of the plane of the steroid, as are the two methyl groups shown in formula (3)), i.e., the steroid may be compound 15 in the FIGURE when Z is O. In one embodiment R3 is benzoyl and —ZR3 is exclusively or primarily in the alpha-configuration (i.e., down, below the plane of the steroid, opposite to the configuration of the two methyl groups shown in formula (3)). In one aspect of these embodiments, Z is O. In another aspect of these embodiments, Z is S. In another aspect of these embodiments, Z is NR1 where R1 is defined above, ‘and where a preferred R’ is selected from an amino protecting group and H, i.e., R1 in the group —NR1 is preferably R3 so that —ZR3 is N(R3)2 or H so that —ZR3 is —NHR3.

[0132] Thus, in one aspect, the olefin-containing steroid compound is compound 4 where —ZR3 is —OR3, and —OR3 is exclusively or primarily in the beta- configuration, while in another aspect the olefin-containing compound is compound 15 where —ZR3 is —OR3, and —OR3 is exclusively or primarily in the beta- configuration.

[0133] Thus, in one aspect, the steroid compound has the structure according to formula (6) wherein each carbon is hydrogen-substituted unless otherwise indicated, Z is selected from O, S and NR1, and wherein R3 is a protecting group for Z, as shown 26

[0134] In one embodiment of steroids of formula (6), R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl. In one embodiment R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl and R3Z— is exclusively or primarily in the beta-configuration (i.e., up, out of the plane of the steroid, as are the two methyl groups shown in formula (6), i.e., the steroid may be compound 5 in the FIGURE when Z is O. In one embodiment R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl and R3Z— is only or primarily in the alpha-configuration (i.e., down, below the plane of the steroid, opposite to the configuration of the two methyl groups shown in formula. (6)). In one aspect of these embodiments, Z is O. In another aspect of these embodiments, Z is S. In another aspect of these embodiments, Z is NR1 where R1 is defined above, and where a preferred R1 is selected from an amino protecting group and H, i.e., R1 in the group —NR1 is preferably R3 so that —ZR3 is N(R3)2 or H so that —ZR3 is —NHR3.

[0135] In one embodiment, R3 is benzoyl. In one embodiment R3 is benzoyl and R3Z— is exclusively or primarily in the beta-configuration (i.e., up, out of the plane of the steroid, as are the two methyl groups shown in formula (6), i.e., the steroid may be compound 16 in the FIGURE when Z is O. In one embodiment R3 is benzoyl and R3Z— is only or primarily in the alpha-configuration (i.e., down, below the plane of the steroid, opposite to the configuration of the two methyl groups shown in formula (6)). In one aspect of these embodiments, Z is O. In another aspect of these embodiments, Z is S. In another aspect of these embodiments, Z is NR1 where R1 is defined above, and where a preferred R1 is selected from an amino protecting group and H, i.e., R1 in the group —NR1 is preferably R3 so that —ZR3 is N(R3)2 or H so that —ZR3 is —NHR3.

[0136] Thus, in one aspect, the enone-containing compound is compound 5 where —ZR3 is —OR3, and —OR3 is exclusively or primarily in the beta-configuration, while in another aspect the enone-containing compound is compound 16 where —ZR3 is —OR3, and —OR3 is exclusively or primarily in the beta-configuration.

[0137] In a related aspect of the invention, compounds are provided that may be prepared by the oxidation of an enone-group to the corresponding diol functionality, where these compounds are valuable precursors in the preparation of steroids having anti-inflammatory and other therapeutic activity (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,185) where these compounds have at least hydroxyl or protected hydroxyl groups and are represented by the formula 27

[0138] wherein:

[0139] Z is O, S or NR1;

[0140] each of C1, C2, C4, C11, C12, C15, C16 and C17 is independently substituted with

[0141] (a) one of: ═O, ═C(R1)(R1), —C(R1)(R1)(C(R1)(R1))n— and —(O(C(R1)(R1))nO)— wherein n ranges from 1 to about 6; or

[0142] (b) two of the following, which are independently selected: —X, —R1 and —OR2;

[0143] each of C5, C8, C9 and C14 is independently substituted with one of —X, —R1 or —OR2;

[0144] R1 at each occurrence is independently selected from H and C1-30 organic moiety that may optionally contain at least one heteroatom selected from the group consisting of boron, halogen, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon and sulfur, where two geminal R1 groups may together form a ring with the carbon atom to which they are both bonded; and

[0145] R2 is H or a protecting group such that —OR2 is a protected hydroxyl group, where vicinal —OR2 groups may together form a cyclic structure which protects vicinal hydroxyl groups, and where geminal —OR2 groups may together form a cyclic structure which protects a carbonyl group;

[0146] R3 is benzoyl or substituted benzoyl; and

[0147] X is fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide.

[0148] In various aspects of the invention directed to the triol steroids: R3 is nitro-substituted benzoyl; and/or each of C1, C2, C4, C11, C12, C15 and C16 is substituted with two hydrogens; and/or each of C5, C8, C9 and C14 is substituted with one hydrogen; and/or C17 is substituted with a substituent selected from ═O, —(O(C(R1)(R1))nO)— wherein n ranges from 1 to about 6, hydrogen and —OR2, and two OR2 groups. In another aspect of these embodiments, Z is NR1 where R1 is defined above, and where a preferred R1 is selected from an amino protecting group and H, i.e., R1 in the group —NR1 is preferably R3 so that —ZR3 is N(R3)2 or H so that —ZR3 is —NHR3.

[0149] Thus, in one aspect, the diol-containing steroid compound is a trihydroxy compound having the formula (7) 28

[0150] In one aspect, the triol-containing steroid is compound 9 where —OR3 is only or primarily in the beta-configuration, while in another aspect the triol-containing steroid is compound 20 where —OR3 is only or primarily in the beta-configuration, where these compound are identified in the FIGURE and below: 29

[0151] Compounds of the invention may be prepared as described herein or by synthetic methods analogous to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,185 (particularly those compounds wherein Z is O or S) or PCT International Publication No. WO 01/83512 (particularly those compounds wherein Z is NR1). Likewise, compound useful in the methods of the invention are known in the art, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,185 and PCT International Publication No. WO 01/83512.

EXAMPLES

[0152] Chemicals and reagents as used in the following Examples were obtained from standard chemical supply houses, and were used without purification unless otherwise noted. Suitable chemical supply houses include Acros Organics (Pittsburgh Pa.), Aldrich Chemical (Milwaukee Wis., including Sigma Chemical and Fluka), Apin Chemicals Ltd. (Milton Park UK), Avocado Research (Lancashire U.K.), BDH Inc. (Toronto, Canada), Bionet (Cornwall, U.K.),Chemservice Inc. (West Chester Pa.), Crescent Chemical Co. (Hauppauge N.Y.), Eastman Organic Chemicals, Eastman Kodak Company (Rochester N.Y.), Fisher Scientific Co. (Pittsburgh Pa.), Fisons Chemicals (Leicestershire UK), Frontier Scientific (Logan Utah), ICN Biomedicals, Inc. (Costa Mesa Calif.), Key Organics (Cornwall U.K.), Lancaster Synthesis (Windham N.H.), Maybridge Chemical Co. Ltd. (Cornwall U.K.), Parish Chemical Co. (Orem Utah), Pfaltz & Bauer, Inc. (Waterbury CN), Polyorganix (Houston Tex.), Pierce Chemical Co. (Rockford Ill.), Riedel de Haen AG (Hannover, Germany), Spectrum Quality Product, Inc. (New Brunswick, N.J.), TCI America (Portland Oreg.), Trans World Chemicals, Inc. (Rockville Md.), and Wako Chemicals USA, Inc. (Richmond Va.).

[0153] As used herein, the following abbreviations have the indicated meaning: aq. is aqueous; DCM is dichloromethane which may also be referred to as methylene chloride; g is gram(s); HPLC is high pressure (or performance) liquid chromatography; Kg is kilogram(s); L is liter(s); M is molar; mL is milliliter(s); mmol is millimole(s); mol is mole(s); NMR is nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; PMA is phosphomolybdic acid in ethanol (20% wt); THF is tetrahydrofuran; TLC is thin layer chromatography; and UV is ultraviolet radiation. Examples 1 and 2 make reference to compounds having the structures shown in the FIGURE.

Example 1

Allylic Oxidation of Steroid

[0154] A. Conversion Compound 2 to Compound 3

[0155] Compound 2 (250 g, 0.87 mol, Steraloids, Newport, R.I., USA), 10-camphorsulfonic acid (2.38 g, 10.22 mmol), ethylene glycol (126.13 mL, 2.6 mol) and cyclohexane (1.0 L) were charged to a reaction flask and heated to reflux. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 hours while water was collected and removed by a Dean-Stark trap. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and filtered through a Buchner funnel. The solid was washed with cyclohexane, water, and aq. NaHCO3 solution (50 mL) to remove any residual ethylene glycol. Residual water was azeotroped out of the solid using toluene to provide compound 3. Yield was 99%.

[0156] B. Conversion of Compound 3 to Compound 4

[0157] Compound 3 (1.326 Kg, 3.98 mol, prepared as in Example 1, Part A) was dissolved in ethyl acetate (9.5 L) under an argon atmosphere. Pyridine (96.77 mL, 1.19 mol) and triethylamine (111.75 mL, 7.97 mol) were added followed by the slow addition of para-nitrobenzoyl chloride (888.11 g, 4.78 mol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 4 hours. TLC using PMA and UV visualization indicated complete conversion. The reaction mixture was filtered and the solid was set aside. The mother liquor was concentrated by rotary evaporation. Heptane was added to the concentrate to crash out the solid product, which was collected on a Buchner funnel. The solids were combined and washed with water several times to remove the inorganic salts. A cold acetone trituration over a 2 hour time period afforded 1.890 Kg of compound 4 with an HPLC purity of 98.5%. Yield was 98.4%.

[0158] C. Conversion of Compound 4 to Compound 5

[0159] Acetonitrile (3.75 L) was charged to a 30 L reactor followed by compound 4 (2.5 kg, 5.19 mol, prepared as in Example 1, Part B), dichloromethane (3.75 L), pyridine (2.5 L) and CuI (0.02 kg, 0.105 mol). t-Butyl hydroperoxide. (6.70 kg, 51.9 mol) was added and the mixture was agitated at room temperature for 1.0-2.0 hours. The mixture was then heated to 45° C. and stirred until TLC indicated no starting material remained. The mixture was cooled to 10-15° C. then a 33% solution of Na2S2O3.5H2O (prepared by dissolving 2.5 kg of Na2S2O3.5H2O in 10.07 mol of water) was added. After agitating the mixture at room temperature for 1.5-2.0 hours, dichloromethane (5.0 L) was added. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (4.0 L). The organic layers were combined and washed with 10% brine solution (8.75 kg), dried with MgSO4 (0.5 kg), filtered and concentrated to remove most of the volatile solvents, and leave a viscous residue. Methanol (2.0 L) was added and the mixture was again concentrated to remove additional volatile solvent. Methanol (7.0 L) was added to the residue and the mixture was agitated at room temperature overnight. The mixture was filtered and the solid was collected and washed with cold methanol. The solid product (compound 5, 62.5% yield) was dried in a vacuum oven at 35-40° C. until no residual solvent was observed by NMR.

Example 2

Allylic Oxidation of Steroid

[0160] A. Conversion of Compound 3 to Compound 15

[0161] Compound 3 (20.48 g, prepared as described in Example 1, Part A) was dissolved in dichloromethane (60 mL) and pyridine (60 mL) in a 3 neck round bottom flask. The flask was fitted with a condenser and stopper and the mixture was cooled using an ice-bath and stirred under inert atmosphere (N2 gas). Benzoyl chloride (12 mL) was added while maintaining ice-bath temperatures within the reaction flask. The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature after which TLC indicated that the reaction had proceeded to completion. Dichloromethane (50 mL) and 10% aq. sodium bicarbonate (50 mL) were added and the layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (50 mL) then the combined organic layers were washed with water (50 mL) then brine solution (50 mL). The organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered, and the filtrate was concentrated to dryness. Methanol (30 mL) was added, then the mixture was again concentrated to dryness. A second portion of methanol (80 mL) was added and the resultant slurry was filtered and vacuum dried to yield compound 15 as a white solid (96% yield).

[0162] B. Conversion of Compound 15 to Compound 16

[0163] Compound 15 (50.06 g, prepared as in Example 2, Part A) was dissolved in acetonitrile (150 mL) and cyclohexane (150 mL), in a three neck round bottom flask, equipped with nitrogen bubbler, condenser tube, overhead stirrer and addition funnel. Pyridine (51 mL) was added using a syringe. CuI (0.44 g) was added followed by t-butyl hydroperoxide (150 mL). The mixture was heated to 40° C. for 0.5 hours. The temperature was monitored until constant then the mixture was warmed to 45° C. The mixture was stirred for 4 hours and then cooled to room temperature. Aq. Na2S2O3.5H2O (prepared by dissolving 49.76 g Na2S2O3.5H2O in 250 mL water) was added to the mixture and the mixture was stirred for one hour. The layers were separated and water (250 mL) was added to the aqueous layer which was then extracted with dichloromethane (250 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with water (750 mL), then brine (100 mL). Dichloromethane (350 mL) and acetonitrile (100 mL) were added to break the emulsion and the layers were separated. The organic layer was washed with 10% aq. NaCl (800 mL). The organic layer was dried with MgSO4, filtered and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness. Cold methanol (75 mL) was added and the mixture was agitated at room temperature for 2 hours then cooled using an ice bath for 2 hours. The product was collected by filtration and dried under high vacuum. The procedure on the filtrate was repeated to yield a second crop of product (total yield 35.0 g, 67.7%).

Example 3

Conversion of α,β-Unsaturated Ketone to a Vicinal Diol

[0164] 30

[0165] A. Conversion of Compound 16 to Compound 20

[0166] Compound 16 (4:99 g, prepared as in Example 2, Part B) was dissolved in THF (25 mL) in a 3 neck round bottom flask equipped with nitrogen bubbler, condenser tube, and rubber septum, and the flask contents were agitated for 10 minutes. BH3/THF (24 mL, 1 M) was added and the mixture was agitated for 2.5 hours. The reaction was monitored by TLC and, upon disappearance of starting material and intermediate, was quenched with water (22 mL). NaBO3.4H2O (3.46 g) was added and the mixture was agitated overnight. After the reaction was deemed complete according to TLC, concentrated HCl (2 mL) was added and the mixture was heated to 65° C. until deprotection was complete (approximately 2 hours). The mixture was cooled to room temperature and potassium carbonate was added to achieve a pH of 7-8. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (30 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with water (40 mL) then 10% aq. NaCl (40 mL). The organic layer was dried with MgSO4, filtered and concentrated to dryness. Ethyl acetate (10 mL) was added to the residue and the slurry was cooled to −5° C.-0° C. for 2 hours. The solid was filtered and dried under high vacuum to yield the product (compound 20) as an off-white solid (50% yield).

[0167] B-1. Conversion of Compound 5 to Compound 9

[0168] Compound 5 (prepared as in Example 1, Part C) is converted to compound 9 essentially as described in Example 3, Part A.

[0169] B-2. Conversion of Compound 5 to Compound 9

[0170] Borane/THF (126 mL) was added to a 500 mL 3-neck reaction flask followed by THF (150 mL), and the solution was cooled to −5-0° C. with ice/acetone bath. Starting material (compound 5, prepared as in Example 1, Part C, 25.0 g) was added in portions (5 portions) to the reaction flask during a 2 hour addition period. The reaction mixture was kept at −5-0° C. until TLC indicated the absence of the starting material. Water (35 mL) was charged slowly to the mixture followed by NaBO3.4H2O (19.6 g), and the mixture maintained at room temperature overnight. Concentrated HCl (10 mL) was added and the mixture was heated at 65° C. until no starting material remained (approximately 2 hrs). K2CO3 (˜4.0 g) was added to adjust the pH to ca. 7.0-8.0, the layers were separated, the aqueous layer was washed with dichloromethane (200 mL), and the organic layers were combined and washed with water (200 mL) followed by 10% NaCl solution (200 mL). The organic layer was dried with MgSO4, filtered and concentrated to dryness. Ethyl acetate (50 mL) was added to the residue and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was filtered and the solid was washed with cold ethyl acetate, and dried under high vacuum to afford 23.7 g of the product (compound 9) (69% yield).

[0171] All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.

[0172] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method comprising a) providing a compound comprising a steroid carbon skeleton and two geminal allylic hydrogens as present in formula (1) 31b) contacting the compound with reagents comprising copper iodide and t-butyl hydroperoxide to provide a mixture; and c) maintaining the mixture of step b) under oxidizing conditions to convert the compound to a product having a carbon skeleton and an α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety as present in formula (4) 32

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the reagents further comprise an amine.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the amine is pyridine.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound has the formula

5. The method of claim 4 wherein C1, C2, C4, C11, C12, C15 and C16 are substituted with two hydrogens, and C8, C9 and C14 are substituted with one hydrogen.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein C3 is substituted with hydrogen and —OR2, and. C17 is substituted with two —OR2 groups or a ketal.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound has the formula

8. The method of claim 7 wherein R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl and —ZR3 is exclusively or primarily in the β-configuration.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein R3 is benzoyl and —ZR3 is exclusively or primarily in the β-configuration.

10. The method of claims 21-23 wherein Z is O.

11. A method comprising a) providing a compound comprising a steroid carbon skeleton and two geminal allylic hydrogens as present in formula (1) 35b) contacting the compound with reagents comprising an oxidizing agent and an amine to provide a mixture; and c) maintaining the mixture of step b) under oxidizing conditions to convert the compound to a product having a carbon skeleton and an α,β-unsaturated ketone moiety as present in formula (4) 36

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the oxidizing agent is copper iodide and t-butyl hydroperoxide.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the amine is pyridine.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the compound has the formula

15. The method of claim 14 wherein C1, C2, C4, C11, C12, C15 and C16 are substituted with two hydrogens, and C8, C9 and C14 are substituted with one hydrogen.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein C3 is substituted with hydrogen and —OR2, and C17 is substituted with two —OR2 groups or a ketal.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the compound has the formula

18. The method of claim 17 wherein R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl and —ZR3 is exclusively or primarily in the β-configuration.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein R3 is benzoyl and —ZR3 is exclusively or primarily in the β-configuration.

20. The method of claims 17-19 wherein Z is O.

21. A compound of the formula

22. The compound of claim 21 wherein R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl.

23. The compound of claim 21 wherein each of C1, C2, C4, C11, C12, C15 and C16 is substituted with two hydrogens; and each of C8, C9 and C14 is substituted with one hydrogen.

24. The compound of claim 21 wherein C17 is substituted with a substituent selected from ═O, —(O(C(R1)(R1))nO)— wherein n ranges from 1 to about 6, hydrogen and —OR2, and two OR2 groups.

25. The compound of claim 21 wherein C7 is substituted with two hydrogens or oxo.

26. The compound of claim 21 having formula (3)

27. The compound of claim 26 wherein Z is O.

28. The compound of claim 21 having the formula

29. The compound of claim 28 wherein Z is O.

30. A compound of the formula

31. The compound of claim 30 wherein R3 is para-nitrobenzoyl.

32. The compound of claim 30 wherein each of C1, C2, C4, C11, C12, C15 and C16 is substituted with two hydrogens; and each of C5, C8, C9 and C14 is substituted with one hydrogen.

33. The compound of claim 30 wherein C17 is substituted with a substituent selected from ═O, —(O(C(R1)(R1))nO)— wherein n ranges from 1 to about 6, hydrogen and —OR2, and two OR2 groups.

34. The compound of claim 30 having the formula

35. The compound of claim 34 wherein Z is O.

36. The compound of claim 30 having the formula

37. The compound of claim 36 wherein Z is O.