Authors: Daniel Morton, Allison R. Dick, Debashis Ghosh and Huw M. L. Davies
Chem. Commun.,
2012, 48, 5838-5840
The preparation and reactivity of steroidal vinyldiazo compounds is reported, providing a convenient, substituent tolerant, chemo- and stereoselective entry into 4- and 6-substituted androgen analogues from a common precursor. Under dirhodium catalysis, O–H insertion occurs at the carbenoid site, leading to 4-substituted steroids, but under silver catalysis, O–H insertion occurs at the vinylogous position, leading to 6-substituted steroids.