3,3'-Ethylenedioxyandrost-4-en-17beta-ol 1 was converted into the ethy
l ester 2 by reaction with potassium metal and ethyl chloroacetate. Th
e ethyl ester 2 on reaction with hydrazine gave the hydrazide 3. Conde
nsation of 3 with aryl aldehydes gave the Schiff bases 4. The reaction
of Schiff bases 4 with monochloroacetyl chloride in the presence of t
riethylamine afforded the beta-lactams 5.