Modern Steroid Problems

Abstract

Dedicated to Professor R. Tschesche on the occasion of his 65th birthdayThe present article is concerned primarily with the latest developments in the fields of steroids exhibiting contraceptive, antiandrogenic, or cardiac activity and of steroid metamorphosis hormones. Both the biological action and the current sources of raw materials are considered.

A very efficient bioconversion of soybean phytosterols mixtures to androstanes by mycobacteria

“…Other phytosterols such as hecogenin and solasodine from Agave and Solanum species, respectively, have been used as well, but to a lesser extent. Furthermore, the utilization of, for instance, tall oil, sugarcane or soybean sterols as an economic source of intermediates for steroid manufacture has been long considered for supplementing or supplanting the commercial processes from diosgenin [24].…”

Formal Total Synthesis of (±)-Estrone via the Furano Diene Approach

“…The realization of this classical diene approach for the estrone synthesis demonstrated the versatility and unique reactivities of the oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane template. This strategy could be applicable to the stereocontrolled synthesis of steroids , and relevant terpenoids in general with further development, which we are pursuing in our laboratories.…”

Preparation of steroidal hormones with an emphasis on transformations of phytosterols and cholesterol - a review

“…Phytosterols were deemed to be such a resource. Already in 1970, Wiechert noted that such phytosterols as -sitosterol are regaining importance as raw materials for steroidal hormones due to the fact that enzymatic degradations of the C-17 side chain of phytosterols became better understood 66 . Scheme 24.…”