Features of hydrocortisone C6-alkylation

Abstract

Two methods of C 6 -alkylation of hydrocortisone, C 6 -formylation and direct methylenation, have been studied. It is shown that both methods are effective and can be of practical interest because they can produce 6á-methylhydrocortisone from hydrocortisone with an overall yield of 50 -55%. A short and convenient pathway has been found for producing D 9(11) -6a-methylcorticosteroids used as intermediates in the synthesis of highly active 6a-methyl-9a-halo-substituted hydrocortisone derivatives. 134 0091-150X/08/4203-0134