Treatment of diols, 11, dihydroxy-3-methoxy-17-vinylestra-1,3,5(10)-tr
iene and the 18-fluoro-substituted derivatives, with phosphorus oxychl
oride led after rearrangement to or-3-methoxy-12-oxa-17-vinylestra-1,3
,5(10)-triene and the 18-fluoro-fluoro-substituted derivatives or (2-p
ropyl)-3-methoxy-12-oxa-17-vinylestra-steroids has been oxidized using
the Wacker process to the corresponding aldehydes. (C) 1998 Elsevier
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