PURPOSE: Provided are a process for preparing finasteride with excellent therapeutic effect on positive prostatomegaly and male-type alopecia, and intermediate compounds useful for the preparation of finasteride. CONSTITUTION: The process for preparing finasteride represented by the formula (I) is prepared by the process comprising the steps of: reacting a compound of the formula (II) with 2,2'-dithiobis(benzothiazole) to produce a reactive derivative compound of the formula (III) and then reacting the compound of the formula (III) with t-butylamine or reacting a compound of the formula (IV) with mercapto benzothiazole to produce an intermediate compound of the formula (V); and converting the compound of the formula (V) obtained in the preceding step into an intermediate compound of the formula (VI) and then heating the compound of the formula (VI) in an organic solvent to dehydrogenate.
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