As has been stated previously (2,3) it is intended to synthesize certain analogs of steroid hormones where the angular carbon atom between rings A and B is either missing (19-nor compounds) or is present in an oxygenated form, i.e. as a primary alcohol, aldehyde, or carboxyl group. In particular, compounds structurally derived from progesterone, 11-desoxycorticosterone, and 17-hydroxy-lldesoxycorticosterone (Reichstein's substance S) are of interest. A promising starting material appeared to be ethyl 3/3,5,19-trihydroxyetiocholanate (I) which in turn can be obtained by partial synthesis from strophanthidin (1, 2). The purpose of the present investigation was the conversion of I into further suitable intermediates towards this general aim.In an earlier publication (3) it was shown that, by means of N-bromoacetamide, I can be selectively oxidized to ethyl 3-keto-5,19-dihydroxyetiocholanate which under the influence of Girard's Reagent T is smoothly dehydrated to ethyl 3keto-19-hydroxy-A4-etiocholenate (IX). It has been found that the free 3/3,5,19trihydroxyetiocholanic acid (III), as obtained by saponification of I, can be subjected to the same reaction. Thus, when III was oxidized with N-bromoacetamide, followed by suitable treatment of the reaction product with Girard's Reagent T, a satisfactory yield of 3-keto-19-hydroxy-A4-etiocholenic acid (X) was obtained. The methyl ester (XI) and the known ethyl ester (IX) (3) were