Synthesis of trichiliasterones A and B — 16-Ketosteroids isolated from Trichilia hirta and Trichilia americana

The syntheses of trichiliasterone A (3β-hydroxypregnan-2,16-dione) and trichiliasterone B (2-hydroxyandrost-1,4-diene-3,16-dione) have been carried out starting from isoandrosterone and testosterone acetate, respectively. In each synthesis the functionality in the D ring was installed prior to working on ring A. In the case of trichiliasterone A, the D ring chemistry involved a Wittig reaction to generate the 17-methylene group, followed by SeO2 oxidation to give an α,β-unsaturated ketone. Reaction with lithium dimethyl cuprate gave the required 17-ethyl-16-keto functionality. A 2,3-epoxy enol acetate served as the key intermediate for the generation of the 2-keto-3-hydroxy functions in ring A. The transposition of the keto function from C-16 to C-17 in the synthesis of trichiliasterone B was accomplished via oxymercuration–demercuration of the Δ16—17 double bond followed by oxidation. The hydroxyl group at C-2 and the additional ring A unsaturation were introduced by lead tetra-acetate treatment of the 3-keto-4-enone function and subsequent air oxidation.Key words: 16-ketosteroids, plant steroids, Trichilia hirta, trichiliasterones.