EXPEDIENT SYNTHESIS OF LACTONE ANALOGS OF FORMESTANE AS NEW POTENTIALAROMATASE INHIBITORS

A convenient synthetic strategy for the preparation of ring-D lactones of the androstane derivatives 4, 5 and 6 has been achieved through a high yielding, three-step sequence, Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of 3 alp ha,4 beta-dihydroxy-5 alpha-androstan-17-one 3, previously prepared fr om a 3-olefin, followed by a TFAA mediated Swern oxidation and subsequ ent isomerization allowed the preparation of the ring-D lactone analog ue of formestane 6.