ON STEROIDS .388. SYNTHESIS OF )-3-BETA,7-BETA-DIHYDROXY-17-OXOANDROST-5-EN-19-AL 19-(O-CARBOXYMETHYL)OXIME, NEW HAPTEN FOR 7-BETA-HYDROXY-DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE (3-BETA,7-BETA-DIHYDROXYANDROST-5-EN-17-ONE)

(19E)-3 beta,7 beta-Dihydroxy-17-oxoandrost-5-en-19-al 19-(O-carboxyme thyl)oxime (26) was prepared in 15 steps from 17-oxoandrost-5-en-3 bet a-yl benzoate (2, DHEA benzoate). Protection of position 17 by a boroh ydride reduction and acetylation, subsequent functionalization of posi tion 19 by hypoiodite reaction, oxidation to 19-aldehyde and oximation gave successively (19E)-19-oxoandrost-5-ene-3 beta,17 beta-diyl 17-ac etate 3-benzoate 19-(O-carboxymethyl)oxime methyl ester (10). Then 7-k eto group was introduced by allylic oxidation with chromium(VI) oxide- 3,5-dimethylpyrazole complex and stereoselectively reduced by borohydr ide in the presence of cerium(III) ions into 7 beta-hydroxy group. Aft er protection as 7-isobutyrate the acetate at position 17 was removed and oxidation recovered 17-ketone. Final deprotection revealed both hy droxyl and carboxyl groups, giving desired 19-CMO 7 beta-hydroxy DHEA designed as hapten for immunassays.